Poll finds Americans see fight against ISIS going better

By Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Polling Director

Updated 1846 GMT (0246 HKT) May 5, 2016

People flee the scene of a terror attack at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on June 29. Turkish officials have strong evidence that ISIS leadership was involved in the planning of the attack, a senior government source told CNN. Officials believe the men -- identified by state media as being from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan -- entered Turkey from the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria, bringing with them the suicide vests and bombs used in the attack, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/europe/turkey-istanbul-ataturk-airport-attack/" target="_blank">the source said.</a>
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
People flee the scene of a terror attack at Istanbul's Ataturk airport on June 29. Turkish officials have strong evidence that ISIS leadership was involved in the planning of the attack, a senior government source told CNN. Officials believe the men -- identified by state media as being from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan -- entered Turkey from the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria, bringing with them the suicide vests and bombs used in the attack, the source said.
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The ISIS militant group -- led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, pictured -- began as a splinter group of al Qaeda. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/29/world/meast/iraq-developments-roundup/" target="_blank">Its aim is to create an Islamic state,</a> or caliphate, across Iraq and Syria. It is implementing Sharia law, rooted in eighth-century Islam, to establish a society that mirrors the region's ancient past. It is known for killing dozens of people at a time and carrying out public executions.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
The ISIS militant group -- led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, pictured -- began as a splinter group of al Qaeda. Its aim is to create an Islamic state, or caliphate, across Iraq and Syria. It is implementing Sharia law, rooted in eighth-century Islam, to establish a society that mirrors the region's ancient past. It is known for killing dozens of people at a time and carrying out public executions.
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Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire missiles during clashes with ISIS in Jalawla, Iraq, on June 14, 2014. That month, ISIS took control of Mosul and Tikrit, two major cities in northern Iraq.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters fire missiles during clashes with ISIS in Jalawla, Iraq, on June 14, 2014. That month, ISIS took control of Mosul and Tikrit, two major cities in northern Iraq.
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Traffic from Mosul lines up at a checkpoint in Kalak, Iraq, on June 14, 2014. Thousands of people <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/world/meast/christians-flee-mosul-iraq/" target="_blank">fled Mosul</a> after it was overrun by ISIS.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Traffic from Mosul lines up at a checkpoint in Kalak, Iraq, on June 14, 2014. Thousands of people fled Mosul after it was overrun by ISIS.
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ISIS fighters parade down an Iraqi street in this image released by the group in July 2014.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
ISIS fighters parade down an Iraqi street in this image released by the group in July 2014.
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Aziza Hamid, a 15-year-old Iraqi girl, cries for her father while she and other Yazidi people are flown to safety after a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/11/world/gallery/kurdistan-rescue-mission-mount-sinjar/index.html">dramatic rescue operation</a> at Iraq's Mount Sinjar on August 11, 2014. A CNN crew <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/11/world/meast/iraq-rescue-mission/index.html">was on the flight,</a> which took diapers, milk, water and food to the site where as many as 70,000 people were trapped by ISIS. Only a few of them were able to fly back on the helicopter with the Iraqi Air Force and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Aziza Hamid, a 15-year-old Iraqi girl, cries for her father while she and other Yazidi people are flown to safety after a dramatic rescue operation at Iraq's Mount Sinjar on August 11, 2014. A CNN crew was on the flight, which took diapers, milk, water and food to the site where as many as 70,000 people were trapped by ISIS. Only a few of them were able to fly back on the helicopter with the Iraqi Air Force and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.
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On August 19, 2014, American journalist James Foley <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/19/world/meast/isis-james-foley/" target="_blank">was decapitated by ISIS militants </a>in a video posted on YouTube. A month later, they released videos showing the executions of American journalist Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
On August 19, 2014, American journalist James Foley was decapitated by ISIS militants in a video posted on YouTube. A month later, they released videos showing the executions of American journalist Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines.
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ISIS militants stand near the site of an airstrike near the Turkey-Syria border on October 23, 2014. The United States and several Arab nations <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/22/world/meast/u-s-airstrikes-isis-syria/" target="_blank">began bombing ISIS targets in Syria</a> to take out the group's ability to command, train and resupply its fighters.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
ISIS militants stand near the site of an airstrike near the Turkey-Syria border on October 23, 2014. The United States and several Arab nations began bombing ISIS targets in Syria to take out the group's ability to command, train and resupply its fighters.
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A Kurdish marksman stands atop a building as he looks at the destroyed Syrian town of Kobani on January 30, 2015. After four months of fighting, Peshmerga forces <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/04/middleeast/kobani-syria-destruction/index.html" target="_blank">liberated the city</a> from the grip of ISIS.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
A Kurdish marksman stands atop a building as he looks at the destroyed Syrian town of Kobani on January 30, 2015. After four months of fighting, Peshmerga forces liberated the city from the grip of ISIS.
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Safi al-Kasasbeh, right, receives condolences from tribal leaders at his home village near Karak, Jordan, on February 4, 2015. Al-Kasasbeh's son, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/03/world/gallery/jordanian-pilot-reaction/index.html" target="_blank">Jordanian pilot Moath al-Kasasbeh,</a> was burned alive in a video that was released by ISIS militants. Jordan is one of a handful of Middle Eastern nations taking part in the U.S.-led military coalition against ISIS.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Safi al-Kasasbeh, right, receives condolences from tribal leaders at his home village near Karak, Jordan, on February 4, 2015. Al-Kasasbeh's son, Jordanian pilot Moath al-Kasasbeh, was burned alive in a video that was released by ISIS militants. Jordan is one of a handful of Middle Eastern nations taking part in the U.S.-led military coalition against ISIS.
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In February 2015, British newspapers report the identity of "Jihadi John," the disguised man with a British accent who had appeared in ISIS videos executing Western hostages. The militant was identified as Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born Londoner. On November 12, 2015, the Pentagon announced that Emwazi was in a vehicle <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/13/middleeast/jihadi-john-airstrike-target/" target="_blank">hit by a drone strike.</a> ISIS later confirmed his death.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
In February 2015, British newspapers report the identity of "Jihadi John," the disguised man with a British accent who had appeared in ISIS videos executing Western hostages. The militant was identified as Mohammed Emwazi, a Kuwaiti-born Londoner. On November 12, 2015, the Pentagon announced that Emwazi was in a vehicle hit by a drone strike. ISIS later confirmed his death.
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graphic warning - multiple images
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
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In March 2015, ISIS released video and images of a man being thrown off a rooftop in Raqqa, Syria. In the last photograph, the man is seen face down, surrounded by a small crowd of men carrying weapons and rocks. The caption reads "stoned to death." The victim was brutally killed <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/middleeast/isis-lgbt-persecution/index.html" target="_blank">because he was accused of being gay.</a>
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
In March 2015, ISIS released video and images of a man being thrown off a rooftop in Raqqa, Syria. In the last photograph, the man is seen face down, surrounded by a small crowd of men carrying weapons and rocks. The caption reads "stoned to death." The victim was brutally killed because he was accused of being gay.
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An Iraqi soldier searches for ISIS fighters in Tikrit on March 30, 2015. Iraqi forces <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/31/middleeast/iraq-isis-tikrit/index.html" target="_blank">retook the city</a> after it had been in ISIS control since June 2014.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
An Iraqi soldier searches for ISIS fighters in Tikrit on March 30, 2015. Iraqi forces retook the city after it had been in ISIS control since June 2014.
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In May 2015, ISIS took control of Palmyra, Syria, and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/15/middleeast/gallery/palmyra-ruins-syria/index.html" target="_blank">began to destroy ancient ruins and artifacts.</a> The Temple of Bel is seen here after Syrian forces reclaimed the city in March 2016. ISIS has also <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/09/world/iraq-isis-heritage/" target="_blank">destroyed other cultural sites</a> in Syria and Iraq.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
In May 2015, ISIS took control of Palmyra, Syria, and began to destroy ancient ruins and artifacts. The Temple of Bel is seen here after Syrian forces reclaimed the city in March 2016. ISIS has also destroyed other cultural sites in Syria and Iraq.
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Dead bodies lie near a beachside hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, after <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/world/gallery/tunisia-terrorist-attack/index.html" target="_blank">a gunman opened fire</a> on June 26, 2015. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed at least 38 people and wounded at least 36 others, many of them Western tourists. Two U.S. officials said they believed the attack might have been inspired by ISIS but not directed by it.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Dead bodies lie near a beachside hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, after a gunman opened fire on June 26, 2015. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed at least 38 people and wounded at least 36 others, many of them Western tourists. Two U.S. officials said they believed the attack might have been inspired by ISIS but not directed by it.
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ISIS also claimed responsibility for what it called a suicide bombing <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/world/kuwait-mosque-attack/" target="_blank">at the Al-Sadiq mosque</a> in Kuwait City on June 26, 2015. At least 27 people were killed and at least 227 were wounded, state media reported at the time. The bombing came on the same day as the attack on the Tunisian beach.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
ISIS also claimed responsibility for what it called a suicide bombing at the Al-Sadiq mosque in Kuwait City on June 26, 2015. At least 27 people were killed and at least 227 were wounded, state media reported at the time. The bombing came on the same day as the attack on the Tunisian beach.
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A man inspects the aftermath of a car bombing in Khan Bani Saad, Iraq, on July 18, 2015. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/18/middleeast/iraq-violence/" target="_blank">A suicide bomber with an ice truck,</a> promising cheap relief from the scorching summer heat, lured more than 100 people to their deaths. ISIS claimed responsibility on Twitter.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
A man inspects the aftermath of a car bombing in Khan Bani Saad, Iraq, on July 18, 2015. A suicide bomber with an ice truck, promising cheap relief from the scorching summer heat, lured more than 100 people to their deaths. ISIS claimed responsibility on Twitter.
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Two women hold hands after an explosion in Suruc, Turkey, on July 20, 2015. The blast <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/22/world/turkey-suruc-explosion/index.html" target="_blank">occurred at the Amara Cultural Park,</a> where a group was calling for help to rebuild the Syrian city of Kobani, CNN Turk reported. At least 32 people were killed and at least 100 were wounded in the bombing. Turkish authorities said they believed ISIS was involved in the explosion.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Two women hold hands after an explosion in Suruc, Turkey, on July 20, 2015. The blast occurred at the Amara Cultural Park, where a group was calling for help to rebuild the Syrian city of Kobani, CNN Turk reported. At least 32 people were killed and at least 100 were wounded in the bombing. Turkish authorities said they believed ISIS was involved in the explosion.
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Spectators at the Stade de France in Paris run onto the soccer field after explosions were heard outside the stadium on November 13, 2015. Three teams of gun-wielding ISIS militants <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/17/europe/paris-attacks-at-a-glance/" target="_blank">hit six locations around the city,</a> killing at least 129 people and wounding hundreds.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Spectators at the Stade de France in Paris run onto the soccer field after explosions were heard outside the stadium on November 13, 2015. Three teams of gun-wielding ISIS militants hit six locations around the city, killing at least 129 people and wounding hundreds.
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Law enforcement officers search a residential area in San Bernardino, California, after a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/02/us/gallery/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html" target="_blank">mass shooting</a> killed at least 14 people and injured 21 on December 2, 2015. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/03/us/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html" target="_blank">The shooters</a> -- Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik -- were fatally shot in a gunbattle with police hours after the initial incident. The couple supported ISIS and had been planning the attack for some time, investigators said.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Law enforcement officers search a residential area in San Bernardino, California, after a mass shooting killed at least 14 people and injured 21 on December 2, 2015. The shooters -- Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik -- were fatally shot in a gunbattle with police hours after the initial incident. The couple supported ISIS and had been planning the attack for some time, investigators said.
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Members of Iraq's elite counterterrorism unit celebrate December 28, 2015, after <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/28/middleeast/iraq-military-retakes-ramadi/" target="_blank">recapturing the city of Ramadi.</a> The city fell to ISIS in May 2015.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Members of Iraq's elite counterterrorism unit celebrate December 28, 2015, after recapturing the city of Ramadi. The city fell to ISIS in May 2015.
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Two wounded women sit in the airport in Brussels, Belgium, after two explosions rocked the facility on March 22, 2016. A subway station in the city <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/24/europe/brussels-investigation/index.html" target="_blank">was also targeted in terrorist attacks</a> that killed at least 30 people and injured hundreds more. Investigators say the suspects belonged to the same ISIS network that was behind the Paris terror attacks in November.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Two wounded women sit in the airport in Brussels, Belgium, after two explosions rocked the facility on March 22, 2016. A subway station in the city was also targeted in terrorist attacks that killed at least 30 people and injured hundreds more. Investigators say the suspects belonged to the same ISIS network that was behind the Paris terror attacks in November.
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A boy walks past bloodstains and debris at a cafe in Balad, Iraq, that was attacked by ISIS gunmen on May 13, 2016. Twenty people were killed.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
A boy walks past bloodstains and debris at a cafe in Balad, Iraq, that was attacked by ISIS gunmen on May 13, 2016. Twenty people were killed.
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Iraqi government forces patrol in southern Falluja, Iraq, on June 10, 2016. In late June, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/26/middleeast/falluja-liberated-isis/index.html" target="_blank">a senior Iraqi general announced</a> that the battle to reclaim Falluja from ISIS had been won.
Photos: The ISIS terror threat
Iraqi government forces patrol in southern Falluja, Iraq, on June 10, 2016. In late June, a senior Iraqi general announced that the battle to reclaim Falluja from ISIS had been won.
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17 Istanbul Ataturk Airport ExplosionRESTRICTED 02 isis terror threat03 isis terror threat04 isis terror threat21 isis terror threat08 week in photos 0815James Foley Syria07 isis terror threat08 isis terror threatRESTRICTED 09 isis terror threat10 isis terror threatgraphic warning - multiple images11 isis terror threat12 isis terror threat13 isis terror threat14 isis terror threat15 isis terror threat16 isis terror threat17 isis terror threat18 isis terror threat19 isis terror threat20 isis terror threat01 isis terror threat01 baghdad coffee shop attack 051401 fallujah ISIS

Washington (CNN)Americans' perceptions of the U.S. military's fight against ISIS are becoming more positive, though a majority still view the effort as going badly, according to a new CNN/ORC Poll.

Still, more Americans are now saying they think the military effort is going well, and fewer feel ground troops are necessary.
Overall, 45% say the military action against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria is going well, up from 38% who said so in early December. That's the most positive reading since shortly after the military effort began in the fall of 2014.
    A majority of 54% say things are going badly, but the share saying it's going very badly has dipped from a peak of 31% in October of last year to 19% now.
      At the same time that American attitudes on the military effort are improving, however, more now see ISIS as a very serious threat. Nine in 10 say the group is at least a somewhat serious threat, and almost three-quarters call it "very serious." Concerns about ISIS continue to outpace fears of Iran, North Korea, Russia and China by large margins.
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      U.S. military photos from April
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Sailors from the United States and Sri Lanka swim near the Tokai Maru, a sunken Japanese freighter from World War II, during a diving exercise in Guam on Wednesday, April 13.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Sailors from the United States and Sri Lanka swim near the Tokai Maru, a sunken Japanese freighter from World War II, during a diving exercise in Guam on Wednesday, April 13.
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      A U.S. Navy officer signals to an EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Monday, April 11. The aircraft carrier was in the Atlantic Ocean preparing for a scheduled deployment.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      A U.S. Navy officer signals to an EA-18G Growler on the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Monday, April 11. The aircraft carrier was in the Atlantic Ocean preparing for a scheduled deployment.
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      Mourners in full headdress attend the funeral of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/05/us/joseph-medicine-crow-tribal-war-chief-and-historian-dies-at-102.html" target="_blank">Joe Medicine Crow,</a> a historian, U.S. veteran and the Crow Tribe's last surviving war chief, on Wednesday, April 6. He was 102 years old.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Mourners in full headdress attend the funeral of Joe Medicine Crow, a historian, U.S. veteran and the Crow Tribe's last surviving war chief, on Wednesday, April 6. He was 102 years old.
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      A B-52 bomber flies over Paris on Wednesday, April 20, as it takes part in an aerial parade that honored the 100th anniversary of the Lafayette Escadrille. The Lafayette Escadrille was largely made up of American pilots who volunteered to fight for France before the United States entered World War I.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      A B-52 bomber flies over Paris on Wednesday, April 20, as it takes part in an aerial parade that honored the 100th anniversary of the Lafayette Escadrille. The Lafayette Escadrille was largely made up of American pilots who volunteered to fight for France before the United States entered World War I.
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      U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, right, listens to retired Army Col. John Palese before a medal ceremony in Washington on Wednesday, April 13. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Palese and other members of the 65th Infantry Regiment -- a Puerto Rican unit that served in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, right, listens to retired Army Col. John Palese before a medal ceremony in Washington on Wednesday, April 13. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Palese and other members of the 65th Infantry Regiment -- a Puerto Rican unit that served in World War I, World War II and the Korean War.
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      Disabled U.S. veterans take part in a curling camp in Denver on Thursday, April 14.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Disabled U.S. veterans take part in a curling camp in Denver on Thursday, April 14.
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      A man waves life jackets next to a "help" sign made up of palm fronds in this photo released by the U.S. Navy on Sunday, April 10. The Navy and Coast Guard <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/08/politics/castaways-rescue-help-sign/" target="_blank">rescued three castaways</a> who had been stranded on Fanadik Island for three days. The remote Pacific island, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, is about 2,600 miles southwest of Honolulu.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      A man waves life jackets next to a "help" sign made up of palm fronds in this photo released by the U.S. Navy on Sunday, April 10. The Navy and Coast Guard rescued three castaways who had been stranded on Fanadik Island for three days. The remote Pacific island, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, is about 2,600 miles southwest of Honolulu.
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      U.S. soldiers watch paratroopers take part in a training jump near Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Tuesday, April 12. The paratroopers were American, British and Italian.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. soldiers watch paratroopers take part in a training jump near Grafenwoehr, Germany, on Tuesday, April 12. The paratroopers were American, British and Italian.
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      A U.S. Marine hugs a loved one after recruits were released to their families in San Diego on Thursday, April 28. Graduation was the next day.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      A U.S. Marine hugs a loved one after recruits were released to their families in San Diego on Thursday, April 28. Graduation was the next day.
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      Soldiers and rescue personnel from the Texas Army National Guard help stranded residents during severe flooding in Wharton, Texas, on Thursday, April 21.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Soldiers and rescue personnel from the Texas Army National Guard help stranded residents during severe flooding in Wharton, Texas, on Thursday, April 21.
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      Sailors fire weapons during a training exercise near Fort Knox, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 17.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Sailors fire weapons during a training exercise near Fort Knox, Kentucky, on Sunday, April 17.
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      U.S. Vice President Joe Biden steps off a military transport plane upon arriving in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, April 28. Biden was making <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/28/politics/joe-biden-iraq-unannounced-visit/index.html" target="_blank">an unannounced trip</a> to meet with political leaders.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. Vice President Joe Biden steps off a military transport plane upon arriving in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, April 28. Biden was making an unannounced trip to meet with political leaders.
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      Sailors try to corral a large American flag before the home opener of the Chicago White Sox on Friday, April 8.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Sailors try to corral a large American flag before the home opener of the Chicago White Sox on Friday, April 8.
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      Urbana Warfel, 81, places a rose on the casket of her brother, Army Sgt. Wilson Meckley Jr., during his burial ceremony Monday, April 4, at Arlington National Cemetery. Meckley, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was declared dead during the Korean War, but his body was never found. Through DNA testing, it was determined that his remains were among those returned to the United States between 1990 and 1994.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Urbana Warfel, 81, places a rose on the casket of her brother, Army Sgt. Wilson Meckley Jr., during his burial ceremony Monday, April 4, at Arlington National Cemetery. Meckley, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was declared dead during the Korean War, but his body was never found. Through DNA testing, it was determined that his remains were among those returned to the United States between 1990 and 1994.
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      The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels fly in formation during a demonstration in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, April 24. The squadron is scheduled to perform 66 demonstrations in 34 U.S. locations this year.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels fly in formation during a demonstration in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday, April 24. The squadron is scheduled to perform 66 demonstrations in 34 U.S. locations this year.
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      Cmdr. Joseph L. Coffey, a chaplain with the U.S. Navy, baptizes a child aboard the USS Ronald Reagan on Sunday, April 24. The aircraft carrier is docked in Yokosuka, Japan.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Cmdr. Joseph L. Coffey, a chaplain with the U.S. Navy, baptizes a child aboard the USS Ronald Reagan on Sunday, April 24. The aircraft carrier is docked in Yokosuka, Japan.
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      U.S. Marines take part in a training exercise in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Wednesday, April 20.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. Marines take part in a training exercise in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on Wednesday, April 20.
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      U.S. President Barack Obama gives a fist-bump at the start of the Wounded Warrior Ride in Washington on Thursday, April 14.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. President Barack Obama gives a fist-bump at the start of the Wounded Warrior Ride in Washington on Thursday, April 14.
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      Engineman 2nd Class Shanice Floyd, a recruit division commander, ensures the proper fit of Megan Marte's hat during uniform issue Monday, April 4, in Great Lakes, Illinois. Marte was among the first female recruits to be issued the "Dixie cup" hat as part of the Navy's efforts at gender equality.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Engineman 2nd Class Shanice Floyd, a recruit division commander, ensures the proper fit of Megan Marte's hat during uniform issue Monday, April 4, in Great Lakes, Illinois. Marte was among the first female recruits to be issued the "Dixie cup" hat as part of the Navy's efforts at gender equality.
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      U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio speaks at a Miami event honoring veterans on Sunday, April 17, the 55th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio speaks at a Miami event honoring veterans on Sunday, April 17, the 55th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion.
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      Marine Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham, right, appears on a morning show in London with Lucca, a retired military dog <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/05/us/lucca-marine-dog-medal-honor-irpt/" target="_blank">who lost her leg</a> when an IED detonated underneath her in 2012. Lucca successfully completed 400 missions and protected the lives of thousands of troops during her six years of service, according to a statement from The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, a British organization known as PDSA. She was given the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest honor animals can receive for their military service.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Marine Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham, right, appears on a morning show in London with Lucca, a retired military dog who lost her leg when an IED detonated underneath her in 2012. Lucca successfully completed 400 missions and protected the lives of thousands of troops during her six years of service, according to a statement from The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, a British organization known as PDSA. She was given the PDSA Dickin Medal, the highest honor animals can receive for their military service.
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      U.S. military members in New Delhi remove a flag Wednesday, April 13, after a ceremony paid respects to American crew members who crashed in a B-24 bomber during World War II. The plane was flying over the Himalayas when it went missing in 1944. What is thought to be the remains of one or two crew members were being returned to the United States.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. military members in New Delhi remove a flag Wednesday, April 13, after a ceremony paid respects to American crew members who crashed in a B-24 bomber during World War II. The plane was flying over the Himalayas when it went missing in 1944. What is thought to be the remains of one or two crew members were being returned to the United States.
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      Amelia McNab, 2, sleeps inside a military transport plane Friday, April 1, at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The U.S. military <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/29/politics/pentagon-orders-military-families-to-leave-southern-turkey/" target="_blank">ordered military family members</a> to evacuate southern Turkey because of security concerns, the Pentagon said. A U.S. official said the evacuation was made because of the ongoing threats concerning possible ISIS attacks.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Amelia McNab, 2, sleeps inside a military transport plane Friday, April 1, at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The U.S. military ordered military family members to evacuate southern Turkey because of security concerns, the Pentagon said. A U.S. official said the evacuation was made because of the ongoing threats concerning possible ISIS attacks.
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      An unarmed Russian fighter jet flies close to the USS Donald Cook, which was sailing in the Baltic Sea. It was one of <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/13/politics/russian-fighter-jet-us-destroyer/index.html" target="_blank">two close encounters</a> in early April, and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow communicated formal concerns to the Russian government about the incidents, according to White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      An unarmed Russian fighter jet flies close to the USS Donald Cook, which was sailing in the Baltic Sea. It was one of two close encounters in early April, and the U.S. Embassy in Moscow communicated formal concerns to the Russian government about the incidents, according to White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest.
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      Army soldiers climb over an 8-foot wall in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, as they take park in the 33rd annual Best Ranger Competition on Saturday, April 16. The three-day event tested competitors' physical, mental and technical capabilities.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Army soldiers climb over an 8-foot wall in Fort Mitchell, Alabama, as they take park in the 33rd annual Best Ranger Competition on Saturday, April 16. The three-day event tested competitors' physical, mental and technical capabilities.
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      U.S. President Barack Obama looks at a ring that was given to him by the Navy football team on Wednesday, April 27. The team was at the White House to receive the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which is awarded annually to the winner of the college football series between Navy, Army and Air Force.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. President Barack Obama looks at a ring that was given to him by the Navy football team on Wednesday, April 27. The team was at the White House to receive the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which is awarded annually to the winner of the college football series between Navy, Army and Air Force.
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      Members of the 374th Maintenance Squadron pull a C-130 Hercules at Yokota Air Base in Japan on Friday, April 15. It was part of a Maintenance Rodeo Competition that pits squadrons against one another.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Members of the 374th Maintenance Squadron pull a C-130 Hercules at Yokota Air Base in Japan on Friday, April 15. It was part of a Maintenance Rodeo Competition that pits squadrons against one another.
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      U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks with members of the Coast Guard as he tours a base in Manama, Bahrain, on Thursday, April 7.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talks with members of the Coast Guard as he tours a base in Manama, Bahrain, on Thursday, April 7.
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      Two military transport planes prepare to drop soldiers during a tactical exercise in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday, April 15.
      Photos: U.S. military photos from April
      Two military transport planes prepare to drop soldiers during a tactical exercise in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday, April 15.
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      The positive shift stems largely from more optimistic reviews among Republicans. In the new poll, 28% say things are going well, up from 18% in December. Democrats and independents are also more likely to see things as going well, but to a smaller degree, with Democrats up 4 points from 57% to 61%, independents up 7 points from 36% to 43%.
      While most continue to say the U.S. military response to ISIS has not been aggressive enough, that sentiment is also on the decline, from 68% in December to 57% now. And support for sending ground troops into combat operations against ISIS forces is down: 48% favor it and 48% oppose it, compared with 53% who favored sending ground troops in December.
      President Barack Obama announced in April that an additional 250 Special Operations forces will be sent to Syria but said they would not be leading the fight on the ground and would instead assist and train local forces.
        For many, the threat of ISIS feels local. Almost 8 in 10 Americans think there are ISIS-associated terrorists in the U.S. who could carry out a major attack, though at 78% that's down slightly from 81% in a December survey. Republicans are most likely to believe there are terrorists in the United States who could carry out attacks on ISIS's behalf, with 92% saying it's so, while 75% of independents and 71% of Democrats agree.
        The CNN/ORC Poll was conducted by telephone from April 28 through May 1 among a random national sample of 1,011 adults. Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.