PIPA/KNOWLEDGE NETWORKS POLL SHOWS DRAMATIC CHANGES IN FEELINGS ABOUT MIDEAST STABILITY, THREAT OF TERRORISM

Results of longitudinal survey indicate growing belief that Iraq policy has not fostered peace in the region

Menlo Park, CA; December 5, 2003: The seventh PIPA-Knowledge Networks survey of U.S. attitudes toward the Iraq conflict shows dramatic changes on some key issues - including Middle East stability and the threat of terrorism - compared to seven months ago. Results from the new poll have already been highlighted in stories by The Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press.

Since January, PIPA (Program on International Policy Attitudes) and Knowledge Networks have collaborated on a series of in-depth polls designed by PIPA and fielded on the Knowledge Networks Panel, the only Internet-based research panel that is projectable to the full U.S. population.

The latest study - conducted November 21-30, with responses from 712 KN Panel members - shows that, compared to May, opinions about the Iraq war's effect on Mideast peace and stability have almost reversed. Thirty-nine percent (39%) now agree that the war has brought greater peace and stability to the region, compared to 56% in May; 56% now disagree, versus 32%; and the proportion giving no answer dropped from 12% in May to 5% now.

In addition, 70% of respondents feel that the Iraq war has not reduced the threat of terrorism, compared to 47% in May; 26% say that the threat has been reduced, versus 44% earlier; and the proportion giving no answer fell to 4% from 10% in May.

Full results from the new analysis and the PIPA/Knowledge Networks poll series can be found at www.pipa.org.

The Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) is a group of social science researchers who study public opinion on international issues; it is a joint program of the Center on Policy Attitudes and the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland.

Knowledge Networks delivers quality you can use—superior methodologies, design, and analysis that give you an edge when it comes to understanding consumers and making business decisions. KN's unmatched consumer research resources include the only projectable Web-based consumer panel. The company leverages its expertise in brands, media, advertising, and analytics to provide insights that speak directly to clients' most important marketing issues. In addition, Knowledge Networks has built a substantial practice in government and academic research, an area notable for its rigorous methodology standards.