Polls Reveal Americans’ Doubts About Afghan War
By MARJORIE CONNELLY
NYT
As the war in Afghanistan reaches its 10th anniversary, two national surveys reveal an American public that thinks the United States should not be fighting in Afghanistan and the war has not been worth it. And a survey of military veterans examines the attitudes of those who have served both before and since Sept. 11, finding high levels of pride in their service with less certainty about American military efforts in Afghanistan.
A majority (58 percent) in a recent CBS News Poll said the United States should not be involved in a war in Afghanistan now, while only 35 percent said the country was doing the right thing by fighting the war. Almost 70 percent said the war has lasted longer than expected and almost as many (62 percent) said the number of troops in Afghanistan should be decreased.
The public is divided on the effect of the military action in Afghanistan. Nearly half, 47 percent, said the United States was safer from terrorism as a result; half said the military action made the country less safe or had no effect. Four in 10 said the United States did the right thing in removing the Taliban and staying to stabilize the country; a third said the military should have removed the Taliban and then left; and a quarter said the United States should have never gotten involved in Afghanistan at all.
In a national poll by Pew Research Center, 41 percent said that “considering the costs versus the benefits to the U.S.,” the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, but 52 percent disagreed.
(More here.)
NYT
As the war in Afghanistan reaches its 10th anniversary, two national surveys reveal an American public that thinks the United States should not be fighting in Afghanistan and the war has not been worth it. And a survey of military veterans examines the attitudes of those who have served both before and since Sept. 11, finding high levels of pride in their service with less certainty about American military efforts in Afghanistan.
A majority (58 percent) in a recent CBS News Poll said the United States should not be involved in a war in Afghanistan now, while only 35 percent said the country was doing the right thing by fighting the war. Almost 70 percent said the war has lasted longer than expected and almost as many (62 percent) said the number of troops in Afghanistan should be decreased.
The public is divided on the effect of the military action in Afghanistan. Nearly half, 47 percent, said the United States was safer from terrorism as a result; half said the military action made the country less safe or had no effect. Four in 10 said the United States did the right thing in removing the Taliban and staying to stabilize the country; a third said the military should have removed the Taliban and then left; and a quarter said the United States should have never gotten involved in Afghanistan at all.
In a national poll by Pew Research Center, 41 percent said that “considering the costs versus the benefits to the U.S.,” the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, but 52 percent disagreed.
(More here.)
Powered by Blogger
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home