A recent CNN/USA TODAY/Gallup poll finds that the American public is evenly divided on the issue of troop withdrawal from Iraq. It shows 47 percent of American favor a significant presence of US troops until they achieve the desired goals, while 49 percent favor setting a fixed timetable for withdrawal. Most Americans are pessimistic about the ability of the Iraqis to establish a stable democratic government within the next year without US assistance to help maintain order. The split is big—75 percent say no way, compared to only 19 percent who believe it’s possible the Iraqis could pull it off.
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.
