CBS News/New York Times Poll For release: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 6:30 PM ET

U.S. Relations with Iran and Syria September 19-23, 2013 More Americans disapprove (44%) than approve (39%) of how President Barack Obama is handling relations with Iran. Also, just 22% expect U.S. relations with Iran to improve. Americans overwhelmingly (82%) approve of the U.S.-Russia deal to get Syria to turn over chemical weapons but only one-third think Syria will comply. Most Americans remain opposed (57%) to air strikes against Syria.

U.S. Iran Relations More Americans disapprove than approve of how President Obama is handling relations with Iran. The poll was completed in advance of the Presidents speech to the United Nations, in which he addressed U.S. Iranian relations. Pres. Obamas Handling of Relations with Iran Approve 39% Disapprove 44 Dont know 17 As is the case on many issues today, there are sharp partisan splits: most Democrats approve (68%), while few Republicans (16%) do. Americans dont foresee relations with Iran improving any time soon. Only 22% expect relations to improve in the next few years, while more expect them to stay the same or worsen. Expect U.S. Iranian Relations in Coming Years to All Reps Dems Inds Get better 22% 11% 36% 20% Stay same 41 35 43 43 Get worse 32 51 19 32 Republicans in particular expect things to worsen; Democrats are more positive. Americans may find it hard to judge whether the recent outreach from President Obama to the new Iranian president will lead to improvement. A plurality of 38% says they dont know what will come of that effort, 30% say it will make at least some difference in relations, and 30% think it wont matter much.

The Syrian Crisis Although they have doubts it will work, Americans overwhelmingly favor the deal reached between the U.S. and Russia for Syria to turn over its chemical weapons. U.S. Russia Agreement to Deal with Syrias Weapons Favor 82% Oppose 15 On this, Democrats and Republicans agree. But Americans remain skeptical that Syria will comply: two-thirds think it is unlikely that Syria will actually turn over all its chemical weapons to inspectors. Do You Think Syria Will Turn Over All Chemical Weapons? Very likely 8% Somewhat likely 25 Not very likely 35 Not at all likely 31 Americans still would not support airstrikes against the Syrian government, even if Syria fails to comply -- an option that the U.S. says remains on the table if the diplomatic solution ultimately fails. Military Air Strikes Against Syria Use airstrikes regardless 5% Use airstrikes if Syria doesnt comply 34 Not use airstrikes at all 57 Underlying these views, a large majority continues to believe in principle that the U.S. doesnt have a responsibility to do something about the fighting in Syria. As was the case earlier this month, majorities of Democrats and Republicans dont view this as a U.S. responsibility, and there has been little shift in the publics views about this in recent weeks, or over the longer term. Now 26% 68 Does the U.S. Have a Responsibility in Syria? 9/6-8/2013 6/2013 4/2013 28% 28% 24% 65 61 62 12/2012 27% 62

Yes No

Most Americans dont differentiate in how civilians are killed: 68% say the international community should respond to all civilian killings the same, while 25% say civilian killings from chemical and biological weapons warrant a stronger response than killings using conventional weapons. The Presidents Handling of Syria Most Americans continue to say the Obama administration has not clearly explained their goals in Syria, though the percentage who says it has done so has risen in recent weeks.

Has Obama Administration Explained U.S. Goals in Syria? Now 9/6-8/2013 Yes 28% 14% No 64 79 The Presidents approval rating on Syria has seen a small uptick to 37% from 33% two weeks ago, but remains mostly negative: 52% disapprove. President Obamas Job Rating on Syria Now 9/6-8/2013 Approve 37% 33% Disapprove 52 56 The Presidents rating on foreign policy overall is more negative than in July, before the escalation of U.S. involvement in the Syria crisis. Just 40% approve of his handling of foreign policy, while 49% disapprove the highest disapproval he has ever received on this measure. President Obamas Job Rating on Foreign Policy Now 7/2013 Approve 40% 43% Disapprove 49 44 _________________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone from September 19-23, 2013 among 1,014 adults nationwide. Data collection was conducted on behalf of CBS News/The New York Times by Social Science Research Solutions of Media, PA. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL Iran and Syria September 19-23, 2013 Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? TOTAL RESPONDENTS Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 40 11 69 35 49 79 20 52 11 9 10 Jul13b % 43 44 13 12

Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer

Q7.Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling relations with Iran? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 39 44 16 64 17 68 19 20 32 50 13

19

Q8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation in Syria? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer 37 52 15 76 10 61 32 9 33 54 7 Sep13a 33 56 11

13

Q47a. In the next few years, do you think relations between Iran and the United States will...get much better, get somewhat better, stay about the same, or get somewhat worse, get much worse? Much better Somewhat better Stay about the same Get somewhat worse Get much worse Don't know/No answer 2 20 13 1 10 41 19 19 4 5 31 35 32 7 3 2 18 43 12 15 3

43 17 6

Q47b. As you may know, President Obama has exchanged letters with the new president of Iran. How much of an effect do you think these recent diplomatic efforts will have on relations between the U.S. and Iran a lot, some, not much, or dont you know enough to say? A lot Some Not much 8 22 30 1 17 42 14 32 17 7 19 32 4

Dont know enough to say Don't know/No answer

38 2

37 2

37 1

40 2

Q48. Do you think the United States has a responsibility to do something about the fighting in Syria between government forces and anti-government groups, or doesn't the United States have this responsibility? TOTAL RESPONDENTS Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % US has responsibility 26 25 33 US doesnt have this responsibility 68 71 60 Don't know/No answer 5 4 6 Sep13a % 28 65 7

22 73 5

Q49 U.S. and Russian officials recently reached an agreement that would involve the government of Syria turning over all of its chemical weapons to international weapons inspectors. Do you favor or oppose this plan? Favor Oppose Don't know/No answer 82 78 15 3 92 18 3 77 6 2 18 4

Q50. How likely do you think it is that the Syrian government will turn over all of its chemical weapons to international weapons inspectors? Very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not at all likely? Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely Don't know/No answer 8 25 2 18 35 31 1 11 30 41 38 1 8 26 38 20 1

29 35 2

Q51. What should the U.S. do regarding the situation in Syria? (The U.S. should launch airstrikes against Syria regardless of whether it turns over its chemical weapons), (The U.S. should only launch airstrikes against Syria if it does not turn over its chemical weapons), or (The U.S. should not launch airstrikes against Syria at all)? Launch airstrikes regardless 5 Launch if does not turn over weapons 34 Not launch airstrikes 57 Don't know/No answer 4 5 32 60 4 5 46 47 3 5 26 63 6

Q52. Do you think the Obama Administration has clearly explained what the US's goals are in Syria, or haven't they done that yet? Clearly explained Haven't done that yet Don't know/No answer 28 16 64 8 47 80 4 22 45 8 14 68 10 79 8 5

Q53. Do you think the killing of civilians by chemical and biological weapons requires a stronger response from the international community than the killing of civilians by conventional weapons, or should the international community respond to all civilian killings the same? TOTAL RESPONDENTS Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 25 20 34 20 68 74 60 3 2 2 4 5 5 4

Stronger response Respond to all No response at all Don't know/No answer

70 6

Total Respondents Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents

UNWEIGHTED 1,014 260 341 413 249 323 442

WEIGHTED