Poll: 68 percent oppose military involvement in Syria

{mosads}Americans are also relatively unaware of the conflict. Gallup found just 49 percent of Americans said they are following news about the violence there, below the historical average — 60 percent — for top news events.

That’s despite a high-profile secret visit by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to Syria earlier this week. The Arizona lawmaker met with rebel leaders and urged the White House to provide anti-Assad forces with arms.

But other Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), have said that the United States should be wary of intervening in the conflict. And even McCain has said he does not want American boots on the ground in Syria.

The White House has said repeatedly that all options remain on the table in responding to the violence in Syria, but thus far have stopped short of escalating involvement despite initial intelligence reports suggesting the administration’s “red line” — the use of chemical weapons — had been crossed.

“Americans are not hopeful that the Syrian civil war will end through nonmilitary means, but do not want the U.S. military to get involved to end the conflict,” said Gallup’s Jeffrey Jones in a release. “Americans’ views on Syria are likely influenced by the position of government leaders, who to date have not advocated a strong U.S. response to the Syrian civil war.”