Americans Perceive ISIL as Biggest Threat, Only 25% Fear Russia

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – ISIL extremists are seen as a major threat to the United States by over 60 percent of Americans surveyed by CNN, while only a fourth of the poll respondents said they could say the same about Russia, which has seen a worsening of its relations with Washington over the Ukrainian crisis.

The new CNN/ORC poll also showed that almost 9 in 10 Americans consider ISIL a "moderately serious threat." Republicans showed more concern over ISIL terrorist activities than Democrats.

Only 39 percent of those surveyed listed Iran as a "serious threat," while North Korea and China are feared by only 32 and 18 percent of Americans, respectively.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a radical Sunni group also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), currently controls vast areas in Iraq and Syria. The United States created an international coalition to fight ISIL in September, 2014. Coalition forces have since been carrying out airstrikes against the extremists in both countries.

ISIL affiliates also operate in North Africa, Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

An earlier CNN/ORC poll conducted in March showed that almost 80 percent of Americans were worried that the fighting against ISIL in Iraq and Syria could develop into a larger war in the Middle East, affecting world stability.

The new CNN/ORC poll was conducted by phone on April 16-19.