American fear of Islamic fundamentalism has increased over the last year as Islamic State terrorists commit acts of violence and gain territory in Iraq and Syria, nearing post-9/11 levels.
According to a survey released by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, concern among U.S. adults regarding Islamic fundamentalism has increased 15 percentage points since one year ago when IS (also known as ISIL or ISIS) militants began beheading Western hostages and releasing videos of the killings online.
Such fear is at its highest level since the same survey was conducted in 2002 following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in New York City.
Among the most critical threats currently facing the United States, Americans describe a major terrorist attack on American soil and international terrorism as top concerns. A majority of American adults also rate actions of violent extremist groups in Iraq and Syria as critical.
Nevertheless, President Obama has refused to send more troops overseas to fight the Islamic State. Instead, the administration has continued on with its bomb campaign against the radical Islamic terrorist group, which according to U.S. intelligence agencies has yielded no meaningful degradation in the Islamic State’s force.
Concern about Islamic fundamentalism is particularly high among Republican voters, as 66 percent label it a "critical threat," a significant increase from the 48 percent who said the same one year ago. In 2002, the share stood at 73 percent.
But a majority of Independents--56 percent--also label Islamic fundamentalism such a threat today.
Democrats are the only group in which a minority currently rate Islamic fundamentalism as a critical threat, with only 48 percent doing so, up from 35 percent last year. In 2002, 62 percent of Democratic voters labeled Islamic fundamentalism a critical threat.
Where Republicans and Democrats agree, however, is on the need for American presence abroad to ensure a better future for the country. Sixty-nine percent of GOP voters and 67 percent of their Democratic counterparts want America to be active in world affairs.
But while Democrats prefer diplomacy, Republicans favor force. Indeed, a majority 53 percent Republicans support sending troops to Iran if Tehran violates the nuclear deal brokered with the U.S. and other world powers in July. Only 44 percent of Democrats want the U.S. to intervene militarily in Iran if it violates the deal meant to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon.
The 2015 Chicago Council Survey was released Tuesday, just days after the 14th anniversary of 9/11.