U.S. Afghan war support lowest ever at 30 percent

The Afghan war began almost eleven years ago. A poll by ABC News and the Washington Post shows support for the post 9/11 invasion and occupation is the lowest on record.

Two thirds of Americans believe that war was not worth fighting and only 30 per cent now support the war. The lowest registered before this was 33 per cent.

No doubt the negative reaction may be partly due to recent events in Afghanistan including the Kandahar massacre, the burning of Korans, and troops urinating on dead bodies. The toll of Americans killed and wounded no doubt is another important factor. The tally of Americans killed is around 2,000. but then there are many wounded as well.

While Obama is withdrawing combat troops by the end of 2014 the U.S. is also negotiating a long term agreement for the U.S. to maintain a presence in Afghanistan for many years after that. No doubt Special Forces will stay in Afghanistan and many others to train Afghans. For more see this article.

U.S. Military Confidence on Winning Afghan War Drops

Although the confidence level is dropping it is still over fifty percent. The survey seems to contain some anomalies. Although there is overwhelming support for the surge only 36 per cent think that Obama is handling the war well. It would have helped if the survey had sought more detail so that one could see why respondents felt this way. Note that the number one reason for joining the military was job security and second retirement benefits. This is from politicsdaily.

David Wood

Columnist
U.S. Military Confidence Sinks on Winning Afghan War, Poll Finds

The military's confidence that it will win the Afghan war is declining, according to a new tracking poll showing only 60 percent of active-duty military personnel believe the U.S. can triumph.
The poll, conducted by the Military Times newspapers, which are not affiliated with the Defense Department, showed the percentage of respondents who believe the United States is likely to win in Afghanistan has dropped from 77 in 2008 to 68 in 2009 to 60 percent in late January and early February of this year.

The soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen taking part in the survey gave overwhelming support to President Obama's decision to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. But only 36 percent said they approve of the way Obama is handling the war.
Obama's support is higher among the general population, according to recent polls that say more than half of those surveyed approve.
The respondents gave high marks to their own experiences in military service, with 85 percent saying they would recommend a military career to others and 76 percent saying they would support a son or daughter joining the military.
The Times said 72 percent said they would re-enlist or extend their commitment to military service if they had to decide today, with "job security'' being the number one reason, followed by retirement benefits and patriotism, the Times reported.