Sudan: Do Americans Care about Darfur?

For too long, the international approach to the crisis in the western Sudanese region of Darfur has been defined by tough rhetoric followed by half-measures and inaction. This general lack of resolve has ensured that widespread attacks against civilians have been conducted with relative immunity in Darfur, and the grinding humanitarian situation has continued to take a heavy toll by any calculation. In that light, the International Crisis Group was particularly keen to more fully explore the attitudes of the American public about the situation in Darfur. Crisis Group commissioned the respected Zogby International polling firm to conduct a public opinion survey in the United States during May 2005. The breadth of American support - across party and religious lines - for a much tougher response to the current situation is striking.