Lakhasly

Limited public support for both airstrikes in Syria in 2013, and the military intervention in Libya in 2011, gives credence to the idea that the 'will to fight' amongst the British public was waning after the Iraq war.Both Libya and Syria can be described as such - as with Iraq, both were led by dictators unpopular in the West for decades, and neither were host to large civil society organisations that could facilitate with transition and state-building should their leaders be deposed.Enforcing a no-fly zone received 42% opposition.

Limited public support for both airstrikes in Syria in 2013, and the military intervention in
Libya in 2011, gives credence to the idea that the ‘will to fight’ amongst the British public
was waning after the Iraq war. Indeed, only 35% of the public supported the 2011 UK
airstrikes in Libya, with 65% saying they believed that military involvement would last for
‘some time’67. It is possible that the length and intransigence of the conflict in Iraq had
made the public wary of military involvement that appeared to have similar characteristics.
Both Libya and Syria can be described as such – as with Iraq, both were led by dictators
unpopular in the West for decades, and neither were host to large civil society organisations
that could facilitate with transition and state-building should their leaders be deposed.
As such, public support for UK military intervention in Syria was limited. In the days
preceding the vote, one survey showed strong opposition both to missile strikes inside
Syria (50% opposed), and to providing military support for the anti-Assad forces (61%
opposed)68. Enforcing a no-fly zone received 42% opposition.