A new national survey conducted Feb. 5-7 by Public Opinion Strategies shows that the majority of Americans are against the idea of a troop withdrawal from Iraq right now. Voters support the idea of “finishing the job in Iraq” and that Americans should stand behind the President in Iraq because this is a time of war. The majority also say the US should hold direct talks with Iran about the situation in Iraq, rejecting the idea that protecting America from the nuclear threat of Iran can be achieved if Iraq is stable.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3