AMERICA TO OBAMA: DO NOTHING

Most Americans are doubtful that airstrikes in Syria would do much to curb the turmoil there, according to a new HuffPost/YouGov poll.

Just 18 percent thought U.S. airstrikes against the Syrian government would stop the use of chemical weapons there, while 48 percent thought they would not, and 34 percent were unsure.

Voters across the political spectrum were wary, but Democrats were in many cases the least skeptical. Only 35 percent of Democrats predicted that airstrikes would increase civilian casualties, compared to 45 percent of independents and 47 percent of Republicans. Just 38 percent of Democrats thought the airstrikes would be a first step toward sending U.S. troops, while 51 percent of Republicans and independents thought it would.

Other national polling has found low or divided support for any airstrikes. In an earlier HuffPost/YouGov poll, just 25 percent thought the U.S. should use airstrikes to aid rebels in Syria.

When the suspected use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad is mentioned, public opinion seems to shift somewhat. In an NBC News poll released Friday, 50 percent said the U.S. should not take action against Syria in response to the use of chemical weapons, while 42 percent supported intervention.

Seventy-nine percent said President Obama should be required to get approval from Congress.

More From The Huffington Post: