A new Gallup Poll indicates that a majority of Americans now believe that the war in Iraq was a mistake. According to the survey, 57 percent of Americans say it was a mistake to send troops to Iraq, with 42 percent saying it was not a mistake. Gallup says that since December 2005, either a plurality or majority of Americans have indicated sending troops was a mistake. Only a third of Americans (33 percent) believe that the current troop level is adequate in Iraq. While eight percent would increase the number, 64 percent would prefer some form of withdrawal. Thirty six percent of those surveyed say “some” troops should be pulled back, while 28 percent want to withdraw all troops.
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.