American coverage on the topic...
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2...htm?csp=34news
Quote:
Poll: With bin Laden dead, is it time to end war?
WASHINGTON — Osama bin Laden's demise may have shifted not only the military prospects for al-Qaeda abroad, but also the political landscape for President Obama at home.
The death of the terror network's leader and an intensified debate about how to cut federal spending are fueling calls to accelerate the promised troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, declare victory and get out.
So with bin Laden finally gone, is it time for America's longest war to end?
Nearly six in 10 Americans think so, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken over the weekend. Assessments of how the decade-long war is going have improved a bit, compared with six weeks ago, and a broad swath of Americans now agrees with the statement that the United States "has accomplished its mission in Afghanistan and should bring its troops home."
Just over one-third say instead that the USA "still has important work to do in Afghanistan and should maintain its troops there."
Rasmussen similar to USA TODAY/Gallup
From Monday, May 09, 2011, 56% Favor Bringing Troops Home From Afghanistan Within A Year:
Quote:
A new Rasmussen Reports nation telephone survey finds that 35% of Likely U.S. Voters now favor the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the highest level of support to date. Twenty-one percent (21%) more support the establishment of a firm timetable to bring the troops home within a year.
The combined total of 56% is up four points from the beginning of March, up 13 points from 43% last September, and up 19 points from September 2009.
Thirty percent (30%) of voters still oppose the creation of any kind of timetable for withdrawal and 15% remain undecided. (To see survey question wording,
click here.)
This all gets more complex as one reads down through related polling data in the article.
and from Tuesday, May 10, 2011, Voters Express More Confidence About War in Afghanistan:
Quote:
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the situation in Afghanistan will get worse in the next six months. That's down nine points from a month ago and marks the first time the figure has fallen into the 20s in nearly two years of surveying. In prior surveys since July 2009, 33% to 57% of voters have predicted a worsening of things there.
Twenty-seven percent (27%) of voters expect the situation in Afghanistan to improve over the next six months, up eight points from last month and the highest level of confidence measured since March of last year. Another 31% expect the situation to remain about the same. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording,
click here.)
This optimism can be a two-edged sword if the euphoria from OBL's death is followed in the next 6 months by what are perceived to be AQ or Taliban successes. Again, related polling data reveal a more complex situation.
Of personal interest to most here is a subsidiary result mentioned in the second article:
Quote:
Ninety-one percent (91%) rate the performance of the U.S. military as good or excellent, including 63% who say the military is doing an excellent job. The latter finding is up from 48% in April and is the highest level of praise measured for the armed forces since regular tracking began in August of last year. Just two percent (2%) say the military is doing a poor job.
Frankly, the public is really without a clue as to "winning" or "losing" - Thursday, May 05, 2011, War on Terror Update, Confidence U.S. Winning War on Terror Jumps Following bin Laden Killing:
Quote:
Who is Winning the War on Terror?
Dates: May 3-4; Apr 7-8
US/Allies: 55%; 32%
Terrorists: 11%; 24%
What a difference a month makes. ;)
Cheers
Mike