Once again, the specter of a United States intervention in the Syrian civil war is being discussed. The reason is new speculation that the Syrian military has used poison gas against it's opposition. Some believe that would push that government over the famous "red line" of President Obama, requiring the U.S. to take action.But the president has a problem. The American public still does not support a military intervention in Syria. That is what the latest Reuters Poll shows (taken on August 23rd of 784 nationwide adults -- with a 4 point margin of error). The poll shows that only 25.7% (or about 1 out of every 4 Americans) support a military intervention, while about twice as many people (49.4%) are still opposed to that. About 24.9% are unsure what to think.
And this is not a new result in this continuing poll. These same numbers have been consistent for a while now -- and the recent news that the Syrian military may well be using poison gas has done little to change that attitude. In fact, the question Reuters asked in the latest poll was -- "If Syrian military uses chemical weapons, should U.S. intervene?"
Of course, this doesn't mean the president won't intervene. There is pressure in Congress from the neocons (who never met a war they didn't like) to do so, and President Obama might give in to that pressure. But if he does, it will be without the support of most Americans.
