Majority Supports U.S. Drone Strikes USS drone strikes to targetextremists (%,
The public continues to support U.S. drone strikes targeting extremists in Pakistan and elsewhere, despite ongoing concerns that drone attacks endanger lives of innocent civilians.
The national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted May 12-18 among 2,002 adults, finds that 58% approve of the U.S. conducting missile strikes from drones to target extremists in such countries as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. About a third (35%) disapprove of U.S. drone attacks.
Public opinion about U.S. drone strikes has changed only modestly since February 2013, when 56% approved and 26% disapproved of drone attacks. Support for drone strikes crosses party lines, though Republicans (74%) are more likely than independents (56%) or Democrats (52%) to favor the use of drones to target extremists.
Majority Supports U.S. Drone Strikes  | USS drone strikes to targetextremists (%,  | Disapprove  | DK  | Approve  | Total  | 58  | 35  | Republican  | 74  | 22  | Democrat  | 52  | 39  | Independ ent  | 56  | 39 5  | Survey conducted May 12-18 2015  | Survey Figures may notadd to 100% because ofrounding  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 