The Gallup Organization reports that a new USA Today/Gallup Poll asking Americans whether they felt the war in Iraq has made certain things better or worse off. While 48 percent believe the Iraqi people are better off, some 42 percent feel US citizens are worse off. That same percentage of Americans do believe, though, that the strength and preparedness of the US military has gotten better because of the war in Iraq.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.