What is Pakistan Thinking?- Pew Survey 2009
All surveys have limitations, of course, but here are the latest numbers from Pew's Survey in Pakistan - bear in mind, they did not include some of the most troubled and least stable areas. I have a summary of the survey highlights and a link to the full report HERE
Here are a couple of data points that bear on "hot topics" debated in these forums.
What Do Pakistanis think About US Counterterroism Efforts in the Region?
- 56% oppose U.S.-led efforts to fight terrorism
- 72% want the U.S. and NATO to remove their military troops from Afghanistan as soon as possible
- 16% approve of Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan
- 72% say they would support U.S. financial and humanitarian aid to areas where extremist groups operate
- 63% support the idea of the U.S. providing intelligence and logistical support to Pakistani troops who are combating extremist groups
What Are Pakistani Sentiments About the UAV Missle Strikes?
- 62% of those who have heard of the UAV missile strikes targeting extremist leaders say they are a very bad thing, and another 33% say they are a bad thing.
- 58% say the UAV attacks are not necessary to protect their country from extremists, while 34% believe they are necessary.
- 93% of those who have heard of the UAV missile strikes say they kill too many innocent people
"Window" of opportunity or doubt?
For those into opinion poliing an earlier poll could be of interest: http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pi...d=&pnt=619&lb=
Some of these issues over Pakistani public opinion have been aired on this thread: http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ighlight=lodhi
For a Pakistani viewpoint (albeit sitting in the USA): http://watandost.blogspot.com/2009/0...ew-survey.html has a nice table on how opinions have shifted (which my IT skills cannot drag here).
davidbfpo