Latest news with #Economist
Sinar Daily
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
60 per cent of Americans don't think US should get involved in Israel-Iran conflict
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will decide on whether or not to carry out strikes on Iran within two weeks. 20 Jun 2025 10:15am White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions from reporters during the daily briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2025. US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he will decide whether to attack Iran within a fortnight, as Israel and its regional rival continued to trade fire for a seventh day. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP) WASHINGTON - A majority of Americans do not want the US to get involved in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, according to a poll released this week. The Economist/YouGov poll found that just 16 per cent of Americans believe the US military should intervene in the conflict, while a clear majority - 60 per cent - oppose involvement and 24 per cent remain undecided, Anadolu Ajansi reported citing the poll. A woman holds a heart shaped sign in the colors of the Iranian flag as protesters rally during a "No War on Iran" demonstration outside the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles on June 18, 2025. US President Donald Trump said on June 18 that he was still deciding whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran, claiming Tehran now wants talks at the White House but may have waited too long. (Photo by Apu GOMES / AFP) Majorities across party lines -- 65 per cent of Democrats, 61per cent of Independents and 53 per cent of Republicans -- oppose US involvement, reflecting broad bipartisan resistance to entering the conflict. The poll was conducted among 1,512 US adult citizens and the margin of error for the overall sample was approximately 3 per cent. US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he will decide on whether or not to carry out strikes on Iran within two weeks. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in a statement read aloud by White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. The announcement came as Trump faces an internal rift within his Republican base over whether or not he should join Israel's campaign against Iran. Prominent voices including media personality Tucker Carlson, Trump strategist Steve Bannon, Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene have warned against the president becoming involved in direct military action. Many have voiced criticism that direct involvement would lead to Trump becoming entangled in another costly foreign intervention, something he vocally campaigned against while running for president. - BERNAMA-ANADOLU
Morocco World
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Majority of Americans Oppose US Military Involvement in Israel-Iran Conflict
Rabat — A new poll has revealed that a solid majority of Americans oppose US military involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran—revealing a growing public aversion to foreign wars that even goes against hard-line mainstream media rhetoric. Conducted between June 13 and 16, 2025, the Economist/YouGov poll found that 60 percent of Americans reject the idea of US involvement in the conflict, while only 16 percent express support. Among Republicans—historically staunch supporters of Israel—53 percent are opposed to military engagement, with just 19 percent in favor. The figures suggest a significant shift in GOP voter sentiment away from automatic support for Israeli Occupation Force ventures. The findings come amid intensifying concerns in Washington that the United States may be dragged into a broader regional war, after Israel launched an unprovoked strike on Iranian territory last Friday. Despite long presenting himself as an anti-war candidate who would end 'forever wars' and avoid costly entanglements in the Middle East, President Donald Trump has adopted increasingly aggressive rhetoric regarding US involvement in Israel's war on Iran. On Tuesday afternoon, he declared on Truth Social that the US obtained 'complete and total control of the skies over Iran,' and referred to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as an 'easy target,' adding, 'We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.' Trump went further by demanding Iran's 'UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,' further contradicting his prior positioning as a restraint-focused leader on matters of war and peace. In stark contrast to Trump's increasingly aggressive posture, the survey reveals strong public support for diplomacy. A majority of Americans—56% overall and 61% of Republicans—say they favor negotiations with Iran over its supposed nuclear program, signaling a clear gap between the president's rhetoric and public sentiment. The poll also indicates growing public frustration with Trump's leadership. In the same poll, only 41% say they approve of the job he's doing, while 54% disapprove—his worst ratings since starting his second term. Multiple polls have echoed the Economist/YouGov findings, which must have rattled Trump's already bruised ego. In response, the White House social media team shared a questionable poll claiming Trump had a 54% approval rating—prompting confusion and skepticism among commentators, who noted the source was unclear. The post stood in stark contrast to recent surveys, including one from Fox News—long seen as a staunch pro-Trump outlet—which found that 54% of registered voters actually disapprove of the president's performance. On his personally controlled Truth Social account, Trump shared a poll showing an astonishing 95% approval rating among Republicans, citing the Gray House Poll as the source. However, the Gray House Poll is a relatively new and less established organization that has primarily focused on Republican-leaning audiences and specific regional races, with limited transparency around its methodology. The release of the new polls came just days after a weekend marked by mass protests across America amid a controversial military display. On Saturday, an estimated six million people across 2,000 American cities joined the 'No Kings' demonstrations—denouncing Trump's authoritarian power grabs and ambitions for unchecked rule. The protests coincided with a lavish military parade, officially held to celebrate 250 years of the US Army, but widely seen as a birthday tribute to Trump, who turned 79 the same day. While the anti-Trump protests drew enormous crowds, the $45 million parade—funded amid a worsening housing crisis and global turmoil—drew a much smaller audience. For a former reality show host whose political brand is built on spectacle and displays of dominance, the stark contrast in crowd sizes was likely a bitter pill to swallow. As tensions in the Middle East reach a breaking point, the world is watching Trump with growing unease. The choices he makes now will determine whether he continues down the path of power-hungry dominance, or finally accepts that Americans have turned away from the era of endless wars waged in the name of freedom and democracy.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Israel pounds Iran: Ayatollah on the brink - will Khamenei's regime implode?
Iran supreme leader Ali Khamenei. (File photo) Iran's regime is under siege - externally by Israeli airstrikes, internally by distrust and disillusion. The question gripping foreign capitals and Iranian streets alike: is Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Islamic Republic on the brink of implosion? Israel's military campaign has wiped out much of Iran's top brass, exposed its intelligence vulnerabilities, and thrown its nuclear program into disarray. For Khamenei, now 86, it's a historic crisis - not just of power, but of survival. Why it matters Iran is not just a state. It's a theocratic fortress built to endure external assault. Yet today, it faces something deeper: elite betrayal, popular rage, and the erosion of its own pillars - the Revolutionary Guards, internal unity, and divine legitimacy. In recent days, the Israeli campaign, dubbed 'Rising Lion,' has achieved what few believed possible. Multiple Iranian generals , including Hossein Salami, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, and spymaster Mohammad Kazemi-all part of Khamenei's closest military brain trust-were eliminated in precision strikes. These killings have left 'major holes in his inner circle and raised the risk of strategic miscalculations.' On June 16, Israel claimed 'full air supremacy over Tehran.' Images of empty highways, shuttered shops, and civilians fleeing the capital flooded social media. Barbeque emojis mock dead generals. Others circulate maps of Tehran neighborhoods prepped for evacuation. Still, the regime insists: business as usual. 'Iran's default is to defy aggressors, not to capitulate,' the Economist observed. That instinct may again help it survive - or provoke its collapse. What's happening Khamenei's inner circle has been decimated: Israeli airstrikes have killed most of his senior military advisers, including Hossein Salami (IRGC commander), Amir Ali Hajizadeh (aerospace chief), and Mohammad Kazemi (spymaster). 'Extremely dangerous,' said one source close to Khamenei's decision-making process. Strategic miscalculations are now far more likely. Missile strikes and sabotage are ongoing: Iran has launched more than 400 missiles at Israel - most intercepted. Israeli strikes have hit the Natanz and Arak nuclear facilities and reportedly damaged underground enrichment halls. The Fordow facility, dug deep into a mountain, remains a flashpoint. Popular rage simmers, but fear dominates: Social media cheers dead generals. Young Iranians call them 'enemies of the people.' But protest movements are leaderless, fractured, and burned by past crackdowns. As the Economist puts it: 'The regime might be weak, but its people are weaker.' Khamenei's son is stepping in: Mojtaba Khamenei, a mid-level cleric with deep IRGC ties, is quietly consolidating power. He's seen as a potential successor, endorsed even by some reformists like Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani. That's less a sign of support than resignation: Mojtaba is the regime's best bet for continuity - or its softest landing. Signs of a crumbling regime Loyalty is cracking: Israel's ability to assassinate commanders in their homes suggests high-level leaks. Cronyism, paranoia, and mistrust now infect decision-making. Military doctrine is failing: 'A paper cat,' one Tehran stockbroker said of Iran's vaunted missile forces. No sirens warn civilians. No credible defense is in place. Street sentiment is shifting: After the assassination of Hajizadeh - responsible for downing a Ukrainian airliner in 2020 - online celebrations were widespread. Some Iranians draped themselves in Israeli flags. But beneath the mockery lies fear. Tehran residents queue for fuel. Others flee to the countryside. The regime's response? Rationing petrol and cutting social media access. A regime conditioned to survive If history is any guide, military humiliation rarely spells the end for Iran's rulers. The Iran-Iraq war (1980–1988), launched when Saddam Hussein saw the revolutionary regime as vulnerable, instead fortified the clerical state and birthed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a power unto itself. Likewise, Israel's campaign, while dazzling in its intelligence penetration and tactical success, may yet provoke a counterforce: nationalism. 'Iran's default is to defy aggressors, not to capitulate,' the Economist noted. Khamenei's response to the June 13 killing of Hajizadeh was not remorse but wrath. 'We will show them no mercy,' he declared. Though aged and isolated, he remains 'extremely stubborn but also extremely cautious,' said Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Walgreens Hides This Cheap 87¢ Generic Cialis Health Alliance by Friday Plans Undo Within 18 hours of the first strikes, a new layer of IRGC commanders had fired off hundreds of retaliatory missiles-mostly intercepted, but symbolically vital. The regime had not surrendered. It had reloaded. Between the lines Khamenei has faced protest waves before - 1999, 2009, 2022 - and crushed them with force. But this time is different. The military isn't just challenged. It's hollowed out. Worse, Khamenei is isolated. Trusted confidants are dead. His son is viewed as opportunistic. And his allies in the 'Axis of Resistance' - from Syria to Hezbollah - are either overthrown or weakened. 'We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now,' Trump wrote, referring to Khamenei - while demanding Iran's 'unconditional surrender.' Despite his public rage, Khamenei's calculus hasn't changed: regime survival at all costs. 'He is extremely stubborn but also extremely cautious,' Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute told Reuters. That's how he's lasted since 1989. I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you this, that Iran's got a lot of trouble, and they want to negotiate. The next week is going to be very big. US President Donald Trump Scenarios ahead Collapse from within: Continued strikes, elite defections, and mounting protests could implode the regime. Unlikely - but no longer unthinkable. Militarized succession: If Khamenei dies or steps down, Mojtaba may inherit power - with the IRGC as kingmaker. Think Saudi-style modernization with Shia theocracy intact. Rally-round-the-flag effect: Prolonged war could trigger patriotism, especially if civilians suffer heavily. Israel's campaign might backfire, uniting Iranians behind a battered regime. Forever war: As Foreign Policy noted, 'The war may never formally end.' Instead, Iran may strike in waves, rebuild clandestinely, and bleed its enemies through proxies. Israel's gamble: Collapse or conflagration? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made no secret of his strategy. This is not just about destroying Fordow or Natanz. As Peter Beaumont of Tthe Guardian noted, 'Netanyahu speaks of regime change in Iran; what he means is regime destruction.' Israel has disabled Iran's air defenses, obliterated key military sites, and wiped out much of its nuclear command structure. But whether this paves the way for a stable transition-or a violent, region-spanning disaster-remains unclear. Even Netanyahu's allies admit the limits of what can be achieved through force. 'The protest movement lacks a leader or a common agenda,' said one Israeli security official. 'You can create a vacuum. You can't control what fills it.' And Iran is not without options. As Foreign Policy pointed out, 'Tehran could seek to engage in a war of attrition, exhausting its adversaries' will or capacity to fight.' It can still call on proxies, pursue clandestine nuclear development, or even escalate cyberattacks and terror strikes abroad.
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First Post
a day ago
- Business
- First Post
Is Trump losing political battle at home? His job rating just 38%, says public survey
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dipped, with only 38% of voters approving of the way he is handling his job, while 54% disapprove, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday read more President Donald Trump's approval rating has dipped, with only 38% of voters approving of the way he is handling his job, while 54% disapprove, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday. The figures reflect a slight decline from the university's April 9 poll, when 41% approved and 53% disapproved of his performance. The survey also asked voters to evaluate Trump's handling of seven key issues. Across the board, more voters expressed disapproval than approval: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Immigration: 43% approve, 54% disapprove Deportations: 40% approve, 56% disapprove The Economy: 40% approve, 56% disapprove Trade: 38% approve, 57% disapprove Universities: 37% approve, 54% disapprove Israel-Hamas Conflict: 35% approve, 52% disapprove Russia-Ukraine War: 34% approve, 57% disapprove 'As the Russia - Ukraine war grinds through its third year, Americans make it clear they have little appetite for the way the Trump administration is handling the situation,' said Quinnipiac polling analyst Tim Malloy. The poll also measured public opinion of Trump more broadly. Forty per cent of voters hold a favourable view of the president, while 53% view him unfavourably. Four per cent said they haven't heard enough about him to form an opinion. Support among Republicans remains strong, with 88% expressing a favourable opinion of Trump, similar to Quinnipiac's March 13 poll. According to other recent national polls too, Trump continues to face more disapproval than approval from voters. An Economist/YouGov survey conducted June 13–16 found that 54% of voters disapprove of Trump's job performance, while 41% approve. The poll, which surveyed 1,512 US adults, carries a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points. Trump also remains underwater on foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran. Just 37% of respondents approve of his handling of the Iran issue, while 41% disapprove. Notably, 60% of those surveyed, including 53% of voters who supported Trump in 2024, oppose US involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, despite Trump's repeated threats of military intervention. Meanwhile, Trump saw a slight improvement in his net approval in the latest Pew Research Center survey, conducted June 2–8. In the poll, 41% of respondents approved of his performance, while 58% disapproved, marking a two-point gain compared to Pew's April survey. The poll surveyed 5,044 US adults with a margin of error of 1.6 percentage points. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
NDTV
3 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
World's 'Most Livable Cities' Now Face Security Risks
Copenhagen rose to first place in a global livability ranking, after security concerns nudged down other cities in Western Europe. Austria's capital, Vienna, lost its top spot as the world's most livable city due to recent terrorism scares, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2025 Global Livability Index. A bomb threat ahead of Taylor Swift concerts in 2024 and the uncovering of a planned attack on a city train station earlier this year caused a sharp drop in the city's stability score, the report said. Copenhagen had the same score as last year, but has been largely untouched by the unrest affecting its regional peers, scoring the maximum points for stability, along with top marks in education and infrastructure. The Economist's annual ranking is just one narrow way of defining "livability," and has been criticized for omitting environmental health factors. Such rankings also reduce cities down to data points that obscure individual preferences - and demographic differences in how people experience a place. In Copenhagen's home country of Denmark, for example, the government has enacted a law that designates neighborhoods with more than 50% non-western residents as "ghettos" that can be subject to demolition; the law was recently deemed discriminatory by an advisor to EU's top court. Still, the rankings can be effective at pointing to trends. Western Europe's average score for stability declined from last year as the region grappled with a rise in terrorism threats, riots, crime and anti-Semitic attacks, and the region accounted for six of the ten biggest fallers in the ranking. These included the UK cities of London, Manchester and Edinburgh following violent far-right protests in 2024. Canadian cities Calgary and Toronto were also among the biggest decliners, as strains in the country's national health service took a toll. Vancouver is now the only Canadian city remaining in the top ten. Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia recorded the biggest improvement, climbing to 135th place, driven by the kingdom's investments in expanding access to health care and education. At the other end of the scale, Damascus in Syria remains in the last place. Its livability score was unchanged due to ongoing instability and poor health care, despite a regime change in 2024. The EIU ranks 173 cities based on five categories: stability, education, infrastructure, culture and environment, and health care.
