What Iraqis Think Today

Forget what the American pundits claim, here's a look at what Iraqis themselves say about the U.S.-led invasion four years later.

Below are a few of the key findings of the Gallup poll conducted for USA Today, which reveals a somewhat conflicted Iraqi public. The results are skewed by the overwhelming support for the war and the ouster of Saddam among non-Arab Kurds. Naturally, too, Shiites were generally more enthusiastic about the war than Sunnis.

--61% of Iraqis say the war was worth it to oust Saddam Hussein, and only 28% say it was not worth it. This suggests that despite the chaos the war brought, the Iraqis still harbor very bitter memories of Saddam's murderous rule.

--71% of Iraqis see the U.S. forces as occupiers, only 19% as liberators. Even among Shiites, who benefitted tremendously by Saddam's overthrow, only 7% see the U.S. as liberators, 80% as occupiers. The Bush administration didn't do it's hearts-and-minds homework very well, it seems.

--46% of Iraqis say the invasion did more harm than good, as opposed to 33% who say it did more good than harm.

--A separate CNN poll indicates than less than one-third of Americans still support the war, compared to nearly 75% who backed the invasion four years ago.

--By Scott MacLeod/Cairo