In a new Pew Research Center poll, a majority of Americans believe that decreasing our military presence is the best way to reduce another terrorist attack—a complete reversal from public opinion in August 2002. In 2002, 48 percent of Americans said the best way to reduce terrorism was to increase military involvement. Today, 45 percent say decreasing US military involvement would reduce the threat. Along the same vein, the Pew poll also found that more Americans believe decreasing dependence on Mideast oil is a “very important” step toward reducing terrorism, as opposed to military strikes against nuclear facilities or encouraging democracy and other suggested steps.
Amid a renewed focus on readiness, Congress moved to keep the Air Force’s shrinking combat fleet from getting even smaller in the latest version of its annual defense policy bill, blocking scores of divestments of two major fourth-generation fighters.
