Americans most back using troops to defend allies under attack

Jan 18–24, 2024 · n = 1,000 · MoE ±3.5%Source report ↗

Core finding

Given a list of reasons to send in U.S. military troops, most Americans (59%) approve of protecting American allies under attack by foreign nations, according to a January 2024 Verasight survey.

About half (50%) approve of destroying a terrorist camp and 41% of helping the United Nations uphold international law. Fewer support intervening where there is genocide or a civil war (37%), assisting the spread of democracy (23%), or ensuring the supply of oil (19%), and 13% approve of none of these uses.

Selected responses

Americans most back using troops to defend allies under attack.

Would you approve of the use of U.S. military troops in order to … ?

Protect American allies under attack by foreign nations
58.9%
Destroy a terrorist camp
49.6%
Help the United Nations uphold international law
40.7%
Intervene in a region where there is genocide or a civil war
37.0%
Assist the spread of democracy
23.2%
Ensure the supply of oil
19.2%
None of the above
13.1%

n = 1,000 · Jan 18–24, 2024 · MoE ±3.5%

Respondents could select more than one option, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUnited States adults
Field datesJan 18–24, 2024
Base (unweighted)1,000
Margin of error±3.5%
ModuleVerasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    Would you approve of the use of U.S. military troops in order to … ?

    www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers

Cite this question

Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.