--- description: Biden has vowed retaliation for a drone attack in Jordan that killed 3 U.S. troops. But many worry about getting pulled into another war. title: Why the American Public Is More War-Weary Than Ever image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd721455f72ecfe9c/698a4454929fad7e54bfa942/GettyImages-1474674385.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Ideas](/section/ideas/) ## Ideas Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Israel-Hamas War](/tag/israel-hamas-war/) ## Israel-Hamas War Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # The U.S. Public Has Never Been More Anti-War. Biden Isn't Taking Note by [William Walldorf](/author/william-walldorf/) ## William Walldorf Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 31, 2024 3:03 PM CUT  People attend an anti-war vigil on March 19, 2023 in New York City on the 20th anniversary of the U.S invasion of Iraq. People attend an anti-war vigil on March 19, 2023 in New York City on the 20th anniversary of the U.S invasion of Iraq.Leonardo Munoz—VIEWpress via Getty Images by [William Walldorf](/author/william-walldorf/) ## William Walldorf Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 31, 2024 3:03 PM CUT The U.S. is creeping toward war in the Middle East. A [drone attack](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68122706 "undefined") at a U.S. base on Sunday killed 3 American troops and injured 34 others. The attack—claimed by [Islamic Resistance in Iraq](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-68131434 "undefined"), which opposes Washington’s support for Israel—has prompted President Joe Biden to vow retaliation. His Administration is readying retaliatory strikes “[over the course of several days](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-readies-retaliatory-strikes-drone-attack-iran-backed/story?id=106800543 "undefined")” that mark a dangerous escalation that could spiral out of control. Are Americans ready for war? Not at all. Pro-Israel [sentiments](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/poll-majority-of-americans-sympathize-with-israel-but-growing-number-say-military-response-in-gaza-too-much "undefined") aside, the U.S. [public](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/poll-majority-of-americans-sympathize-with-israel-but-growing-number-say-military-response-in-gaza-too-much "undefined") and its leaders are deeply [divided](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/21/us-support-israel-palestine-poll/ "undefined") today about Middle East policy. War will not only lead to [recession](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/business/economy/israel-gaza-war-global-economy.html "undefined") and [drain U.S. resources](https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/washingtons-looming-middle-eastern-quagmire "undefined") to the [benefit](https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/five-global-dangers-gaza-war "undefined") of China, but divisions at home could do harm to U.S. foreign policy for years to come. It’s time, then, for Biden to de-escalate tension and push Israel toward peace. Each major U.S. war since 1900 was buoyed at its outset by a big story that [research](https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501738272/to-shape-our-world-for-good/#bookTabs=1 "undefined") shows galvanized national consensus and buy-in to the costs of war. A story about the existential danger of Soviet expansion and stopping communism brought robust initial support for [Korea and Vietnam](https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501738272/to-shape-our-world-for-good/#bookTabs=1 "undefined"). In the 2000s and 2010s, the big [story was about Sept. 11](https://direct.mit.edu/isec/article/47/1/93/112580/Narratives-and-War-Explaining-the-Length-and-End "undefined") and defeating terrorism. This “war on terror” narrative helped generate strong initial public support for U.S. involvement in Afghanistan ([88% in 2001](https://news.gallup.com/poll/9994/public-opinion-war-afghanistan.aspx "undefined")) and Iraq ([70% in 2003](https://news.gallup.com/poll/8038/seventytwo-percent-americans-support-war-against-iraq.aspx "undefined")). So, where is the U.S. national story today? Well, there is none. The anti-terrorism narrative [disappeared](https://direct.mit.edu/isec/article/47/1/93/112580/Narratives-and-War-Explaining-the-Length-and-End "undefined") with the decline of al-Qaeda and Islamic State in the late 2010s, and no other transnational group group has taken their place. Americans have also [grown tired](https://standtogethertrust.org/news/new-poll-3-in-4-americans-want-troops-home-from-afghanistan-iraq-favor-less-defense-spending-less-military-engagement-abroad/ "undefined") of Middle East wars, like the one the U.S. is walking into now. By 2019, [59%](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/07/10/majorities-of-u-s-veterans-public-say-the-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-were-not-worth-fighting/ "undefined") said Afghanistan “was not worth fighting” and [only 27%](https://globalaffairs.org/research/public-opinion-survey/2019-chicago-council-survey "undefined") said interventions in other countries made the U.S. safer. In short, with terrorism down, U.S. [energy independence up](https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2023/05/02/us-energy-independence-soars-to-highest-levels-in-over-70-years/?sh=25574bc1977f "undefined"), and Iran more a nuisance than existential threat, the U.S. is left today with no big, unifying story for deep Middle East engagement, especially war. The absence of a big story is showing up today in debates about the Middle East. Polls show that [84% of Americans worry](https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3882 "undefined") about getting pulled into war. Some [65% want a ceasefire](https://thehill.com/policy/international/4335685-most-americans-support-cease-fires-israel-hamas-russia-ukraine-wars-poll/ "undefined") in Israel’s war on Gaza, not U.S. military action. Biden’s efforts to rally the nation with [eloquent statements](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-make-prime-time-case-us-assistance-israel/story?id=104146070 "undefined") haven’t worked either (as [other presidents](https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Bill-Clinton/dp/140003003X "undefined") attest, that happens with no big story). Only [33% approve](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/us/politics/biden-israel-gaza-poll.html "undefined") of Biden’s handling of today’s crisis. Opposition to Biden’s approach on Gaza will only expand with a wider war. [Young voters](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/us/politics/biden-israel-gaza-poll.html "undefined") [strongly oppose](https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/01/13/march-for-gaza-dc-rally-israel-hamas-war/ "undefined") Biden’s [unwavering](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/13/biden-israel-full-support/ "undefined") [support](https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144562 "undefined") for Israel’s disproportionate use of force in Gaza, which has killed at least [26,000 Palestinians](https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-1-26-2024-49a168140cbca3778095e8fb437aba37 "undefined"), most of them women and children. [Progressive Democrats](https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/11/chris-murphy-bernie-sanders-condition-aid-israel "undefined") are [balking too](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/22/israel-hamas-cease-fire-hostage-deal-00128468 "undefined"). A new U.S. war today will create deep revulsion from these quarters. Revulsion will also come from Republicans, too. The powerful [nationalist ](https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/06/politics/nationalism-conservatism-what-matters/index.html "undefined")wing of the GOP is [uncomfortable](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/12/trump-israel-hamas-stance.html "undefined") with war today. Donald Trump [complained](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/12/trump-houthi-strike-00135294#:~:text=%E2%80%9CSo%2C%20let%20me%20get%20this,in%20a%20Truth%20Social%20post. "undefined") recently about too much bombing in the Middle East and some MAGA leaders want [brakes](https://twitter.com/RepLuna/status/1745618377505202276?s=20 "undefined") on or [oppose military action](https://aldailynews.com/tuberville-on-calls-to-attack-iran-we-dont-need-another-war-right-now/ "undefined"). This should all give U.S. decision-makers pause. As [research shows](https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501738272/to-shape-our-world-for-good/#bookTabs=1 "undefined"), pursuing unpopular wars can create a lot of public resistance to wars that are in the national interest. Direct U.S. involvement in a Middle East war today would be terrible at a time when Washington needs to remain nimble and engaged to manage major challenges in Asia and Europe. Biden needs to bring the temperature down. He should rule out any strikes inside Iran, which denies involvement in Sunday’s attack. He should also reconsider further airstrikes against the Iran-backed Yemen’s Houthis and return to the defensive posture of intercepting incoming attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. This strategy [was working effectively](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2024/01/15/yemen-houthis-airstrikes-red-sea/72229760007/#:~:text=U.S.%20intercepts%20and%20shoots%20down,Navy%20destroyer%20in%20Red%20Sea&text=U.S.%20fighter%20aircraft%20intercepted%20and,the%20Pentagon%20said%20late%20Sunday. "undefined")—no deaths or major damage—before the U.S. strikes in Yemen and can work going forward. In general, striking Iranian proxies does [little damage to their capabilities](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/13/us/politics/houthis-yemen-us-airstrikes.html "undefined"), but does a lot to [enhance](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/large-protests-break-out-yemen-after-us-british-attacks-2024-01-12/ "undefined") their [legitimacy](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/did-us-just-get-lured-into-war-with-houthis-2024-01-13/ "undefined"). Stepping back helps get the U.S. off the escalation ladder to war. The Biden Administration can concurrently reduce accessible targets for Iran-backed groups. That means [pressing](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-16/ships-keep-running-red-sea-gauntlet-after-us-warnings "undefined") (and perhaps, mandating) U.S.-flagged vessels avoid the Red Sea and redeploy troops in Jordan, Syria, and Iraq to more secure regional bases further afield from Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. The U.S. regularly moves highly exposed troops for force protection. Most crucially, Washington needs to [push](https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/12/07/israel-united-states-military-aid-conditions-gaza-hamas-palestine/ "undefined") Israel to a ceasefire in Gaza. Its war is quickly becoming a regional war at odds with U.S. interests. A ceasefire will [cool regional tensions](https://responsiblestatecraft.org/media-ceasefire-houthi-escalation/ "undefined"), stop further escalation, keep the U.S. homefront from exploding, and bring policy in line with true U.S. national security interests (most of which now lie outside the Middle East). In short, adjust Middle East policy now before it’s too late. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/6590408/us-biden-middle-east-war/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/6590408/us-biden-middle-east-war/"},"headline":"The U.S. Public Has Never Been More Anti-War. Biden Isn't Taking Note","datePublished":"2024-01-31T15:03:23.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-24T17:02:57.507Z","description":"Biden has vowed retaliation for a drone attack in Jordan that killed 3 U.S. troops. 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