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Poll: Arab Majority Backs Nuclear Iran

(Washington Times) Benjamin Birnbaum - A new poll shows that the percentage of the Arab world that thinks a nuclear-armed Iran would be good for the Middle East has doubled since last year and now makes up the majority. The 2010 Arab Public Opinion Poll found that 57% not only believe that Iran's nuclear program aims to build a bomb but also view that goal positively - nearly double the 29% who thought so in 2009. The percentage of those who view an Iranian nuclear bomb negatively fell from 46% to 21%. The survey was conducted by University of Maryland professor Shibley Telhami in conjunction with the polling firm Zogby International. The survey's findings stand in marked contrast to the stances of most Sunni Arab leaders, who fear the regional implications of an Iranian bomb. Patrick Clawson, director of the Iran Security Initiative at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said, "I just don't think that the problems associated with Iran having nuclear weapons are very vivid for many of the people answering these polls, whereas their desire to show the United States and Europe that Middle Easterners can stand up against Western pressure is very vivid." (Washington Times) - Benjamin Birnbaum A new poll shows that the percentage of the Arab world that thinks a nuclear-armed Iran would be good for the Middle East has doubled since last year and now makes up the majority. The 2010 Arab Public Opinion Poll found that 57% not only believe that Iran's nuclear program aims to build a bomb but also view that goal positively - nearly double the 29% who thought so in 2009. The percentage of those who view an Iranian nuclear bomb negatively fell from 46% to 21%. The survey was conducted by University of Maryland professor Shibley Telhami in conjunction with the polling firm Zogby International. The survey's findings stand in marked contrast to the stances of most Sunni Arab leaders, who fear the regional implications of an Iranian bomb. Patrick Clawson, director of the Iran Security Initiative at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said, "I just don't think that the problems associated with Iran having nuclear weapons are very vivid for many of the people answering these polls, whereas their desire to show the United States and Europe that Middle Easterners can stand up against Western pressure is very vivid." (Washington Times) - Benjamin Birnbaum A new poll shows that the percentage of the Arab world that thinks a nuclear-armed Iran would be good for the Middle East has doubled since last year and now makes up the majority. The 2010 Arab Public Opinion Poll found that 57% not only believe that Iran's nuclear program aims to build a bomb but also view that goal positively - nearly double the 29% who thought so in 2009. The percentage of those who view an Iranian nuclear bomb negatively fell from 46% to 21%. The survey was conducted by University of Maryland professor Shibley Telhami in conjunction with the polling firm Zogby International. The survey's findings stand in marked contrast to the stances of most Sunni Arab leaders, who fear the regional implications of an Iranian bomb. Patrick Clawson, director of the Iran Security Initiative at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said, "I just don't think that the problems associated with Iran having nuclear weapons are very vivid for many of the people answering these polls, whereas their desire to show the United States and Europe that Middle Easterners can stand up against Western pressure is very vivid."
2010-08-06 09:01:39
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