The results of the America`s struggle against terrorism look disappointing: Russians regard the U.S. to be the most vulnerable to terrorism followed by Russia on the second place.

MOSCOW, September 9, 2011. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data describing how Russians assess the results of the U.S. fight against global terrorism, how they assess the level of terrorist threat today, and which countries and regions are the most vulnerable to terrorist attack.

According to Russians, the results of the war against global terror declared by the U.S. ten years ago look disappointing. Russians increasingly name terrorist the winners (from 9 to 16% over the recent five years). Those respondents are basically metropolitan residents (22%). At the same time, only 7% of respondents mention the revenge of the U.S. and its allies (in 2009 – 10%). More Russians think that none of the parties win (from 30% in 2006 to 36% currently); they are mainly supporters of the Fair Russia party (42%). On the contrary, less Russians think that the war against terror is nothing but propaganda to cover up the problems of the U.S. and its allies (from 32 to 29%). Those who share this stance are basically residents of big cities (38%) and supporters of the non-parliament parties (39%).

The terrorist threat has not grown, nor has it decreased. After a burst of anxiety about terrorist threat in 2010, currently the level of anxiety has slightly decreased: 37% - a year ago, today - 34% (in 2009 – 28%). There has been a rise in the share of those who think that the international terrorist threat is staying the same level (from 37 to 46%). At the same time, the number of those who mention decreased anxiety is steadily decreasing (from 21% in 2009 to 14% this year). Those who think that the terrorist threat has increased are basically residents of middle and small cities (38-40%), LDPR (44%) and non-parliament parties (51%) supporters. Those who see no changes are Muscovites and St.Peterburgians (60%). Residents of big cities (18%) and United Russia supporters (18%) point put decrease in terrorist threat.

Today the most vulnerable to terrorism countries are: Russia (16%) and its regions and republics – Central Federal District (13%), Chechnya (6%), Dagestan (4%), Southern District (3%), North-Western District (2%), Abkhazia, Ingushetia and Ossetia (1% for each). One of the most vulnerable countries is the United States (17%). Respondents also name republics of the Caucasus (12%), Middle East in general (5%), Israel (5%), Libya  (4%), Afghanistan (3%), Egypt (3%), England, Turkey (2% for each), Iraq, Iran and Arab countries in general (2%), European countries in general (2%), France (1%), and Georgia (1%), eastern and Islamic countries  (1% for each), Pakistan (1%), African region (1%).  Twenty-four percent of respondents think that any country or region of the world is equally vulnerable to terrorism.

The initiative Russian opinion polls were conducted on September 3-4, 2011. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 138 sampling points in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!