Terrorism

Dealing with coronavirus has declined as a policy priority, especially among Republicans. This marks a shift from last year, when the economy and the coronavirus both topped the public’s policy agenda.

There is a wide partisan split on the fairness of the House committee’s probe.

Twenty years ago, Americans came together – bonded by sadness and patriotism – after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But a review of public opinion in the two decades since finds that unity was fleeting. It also shows how support for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq was strong initially but fell over time.

“Saddened, hurt, disgusted,” one woman in her 50s said. “Never thought I would see anything like this in my life.”

Most say cooperation with other countries is important in dealing with global threats, especially on the spread of infectious diseases.

Around seven-in-ten Americans or more have seen defending against terrorism as a top priority for the White House and Congress since early 2002.

The Sept. 11 attacks united Americans in a way that few other historical events have.

About eight-in-ten U.S. Muslims (82%) say they are either very (66%) or somewhat concerned (16%) about extremism committed in the name of Islam around the world.

People across Europe and in the U.S. and Canada have pervasive concerns about the threat of Islamic extremism in their countries.

Overall, 48% of Americans say there are some circumstances under which the use of torture is acceptable in U.S. anti-terrorism efforts.