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Afghanistan          See also:  Terrorism  |  Allies and enemiesObama's ratings on Afghanistan


 

Quinnipiac University Poll. Sept. 10-13, 2021. N=1,210 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.8.

             

"As you may know, President Biden decided to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Do you approve or disapprove of President Biden's decision?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

9/10-13/21

54 41 5    
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Biden handled withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

9/10-13/21

31 65 4    
             

"Do you think ending the war with Afghanistan was the right thing for the United States to do or the wrong thing?"

 
    Right
thing
Wrong
thing
Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

9/10-13/21

69 24 7    
             

"Do you support or oppose accepting Afghan refugees into the U.S.?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

9/10-13/21

60 32 7    
             

"Do you support or oppose accepting Afghan refugees if they assisted the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

9/10-13/21

83 14 3    
             

"Do you think American troops will have to return to Afghanistan to fight terrorism, or not?"

 
    Think
they will
Do not Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

9/10-13/21

62 28 10    

 

Monmouth University Poll. Sept. 9-13, 2021. N=802 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Which of the following comes closer to your view of how President Biden handled the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan? He did the best he could in a bad situation. OR, He seriously mishandled the withdrawal." Options rotated

 
    Did the
best he
could
Seriously
mishandled
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

9/9-13/21

49 48 3    
             

"Regardless of how it was handled, do you approve or disapprove of the decision to withdraw the U.S. presence in Afghanistan?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

9/9-13/21

66 27 7    
             

"Do you think the current situation in Afghanistan would have been better if the U.S. had postponed the deadline for withdrawal until later in the year, or do you think that the situation in Afghanistan would be the same no matter when we withdrew?"

 
    Better if
deadline
postponed
The same
no matter
when
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

9/9-13/21

29 62 9    
             

"How likely is it that the withdrawal from Afghanistan will lead to a foreign terrorist attack on U.S. soil in the next few years: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?"

 
    Very
likely
Somewhat
likely
Not too
likely
Not at
all likely
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

9/9-13/21

32 32 20 11 6

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2021. N=1,006 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, or not?"
10/09: "All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan was / has been worth fighting, or not?" -- "was" and "has been" each asked of half the sample.
9/09 & earlier: "All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan WAS worth fighting, or not?"

 
    Worth
fighting
Not worth
fighting
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/29 - 9/1/21

36 54 10    
 

12/11-14/14

38 56 6    
 

12/12-15/13

30 66 4    
 

7/18-21/13

28 67 5    
 

3/7-10/13

39 56 5    
 

4/5-8/12

30 66 4    
 

3/7-10/12

35 60 5    
 

6/2-5/11

43 54 3    
 

3/10-13/11

31 64 5    
 

12/9-12/10

34 60 5    
 

7/7-11/10

43 53 4    
 

6/3-6/10

44 53 3    
 

4/22-25/10

45 52 3    
 

12/10-13/09

52 44 4    
 

11/12-15/09

44 52 4    
 

10/15-18/09

47 49 4    
 

9/10-12/09

46 51 3    
 

8/13-17/09

47 51 3    
 

7/15-18/09

51 45 4    
 

3/26-29/09

56 41 4    
 

2/19-22/09

50 47 3    
 

12/11-14/08

55 39 5    
 

7/10-13/08

51 45 4    
 

2/22-25/07

56 41 3    
             

"Which of these comes closest to your opinion regarding the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan? Would you say you support the withdrawal and approve of how Biden has handled it, support the withdrawal but disapprove of how Biden has handled it, or oppose the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Afghanistan?"

 
    Support/
Approve
Support/
Disapprove
Oppose Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

8/29 - 9/1/21

26 52 17 6  
             

"Do you think the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan makes the United States safer from terrorism, less safe from terrorism, or makes no difference?"

 
    Safer Less safe No
difference
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

8/29 - 9/1/21

8 44 45 3  
             

"Do you support or oppose the United States taking in refugees from Afghanistan after screening them for security?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/29 - 9/1/21

68 27 5    
             

"How confident are you that the United States can identify and keep out possible terrorists who may be among these refugees: very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?"

 
    Very
confident
Somewhat
confident
Not so
confident
Not
confident
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

8/29 - 9/1/21

16 37 20 25 1
             

"Thirteen members of the U.S. military and at least 170 Afghans were killed near the Kabul airport in a suicide bombing by the Islamic State. How much, if at all, do you blame this attack on Biden's handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan: a great deal, a good amount, not much, or not at all?"

 
    A great
deal
A good
amount
Not much Not at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

8/29 - 9/1/21

38 15 22 21 4

 

NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll. Aug. 26-31, 2021. N=1,241 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.8.

             

"Overall, do you think the U.S. role in Afghanistan was a success or a failure?"

 
    Success Failure Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/26-31/21

20 71 9    
             

"As you may know, the U.S. airlifted thousands of refugees from Afghanistan to escape the situation there. Do you approve or disapprove of allowing these refugees to come into this country?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/26-31/21

73 23 5    

 

Suffolk University/USA Today Poll. Aug. 19-23, 2021. N=1,000 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

             

"The United States is withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan. Do you support or oppose the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/19-23/21

53 38 9    
             

"Should the United States admit, with special refugee status, Afghans who worked as translators for the U.S. military and their immediate family members – yes or no?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/19-23/21

84 10 6    
             

"Should the United States recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan – yes or no?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/19-23/21

15 71 15    
             

"Now that the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, do you believe Afghanistan will become a haven for terrorists targeting the United States?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/19-23/21

73 14 13    
             

"Was the war in Afghanistan worth it – yes or no?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

8/19-23/21

28 60 12    
             
 

If answered "No":
"Given that you feel the war in Afghanistan wasn't worth it, which president do you hold MOST responsible for that? Would you say George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, or Joe Biden?" If respondent says, "All of them," ask again which president is most responsible.

 
    %        
 

Geroge W. Bush

62        
 

Barack Obama

15        
 

Joe Biden

7        
 

Donald Trump

4        
 

All of them (vol.)

7        
 

None of them (vol.)

1        
 

Unsure

5        

 

NBC News Poll conducted by Hart Research Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R). Aug. 14-17, 2021. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Results below based on half the sample.

             

"When it comes to Afghanistan, do you think the war was worth it or not worth it?"

 
    Worth it Not
worth it
Depends
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

8/14-17/21

29 61 3 7  
 

6/11-15/14

27 65 2 6  
 

1/12-15/13

40 51 2 7  
             

Asked 8/14-15/21: "If the Taliban returns to power in Afghanistan, how much of a threat do you think this would be to American national security? Would it be a very serious threat, fairly serious threat, just a somewhat serious threat, or not so serious threat?"
Asked 8/16-17/21: "With the Taliban returning to power in Afghanistan, how much of a threat do you think this is to American national security? Would it be a very serious threat, fairly serious threat, just a somewhat serious threat, or not so serious threat?"

 
    Very
serious
Fairly
serious
Just
somewhat
serious
Not so
serious
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

8/14-17/21

40 20 23 14 3

 

Gallup Poll. July 6-21, 2021. N=1,007 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Looking back, do you think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in Afghanistan, or not?"
2019 & earlier: "Looking back, do you think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in Afghanistan in 2001?"

 
    Yes, made
a mistake
No, did not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

7/6-21/21

47 46 6    
 

8/15-30/19

43 52 5    
 

6/2-7/15

42 54 4    
 

2/6-9/14

49 48 3    
 

3/7-10/13

44 51 5    

 

Quinnipiac University Poll. May 18-24, 2021. N=1,316 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.7.

             

"As you may know, President Biden has decided to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. Do you approve or disapprove of President Biden's decision?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

5/18-24/21

62 29 9    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Oct. 15-18, 2015. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"As you may know, Obama has halted the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, saying the current force of 98-hundred troops will remain in place through most of next year, and 55-hundred will stay into 2017. Is this something you support or oppose?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

10/15-18/15

50 39 12    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 11-14, 2014. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Do you think the war in Afghanistan has or has not contributed to the long-term security of the United States?"

 
    Has Has not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/11-14/14

48 47 6    
 

7/18-21/13

43 50 6    
 

3/7-10/13

51 42 6    
 

6/2-5/11

57 39 4    
 

12/9-12/10

53 40 6    
 

7/7-11/10

53 44 3    
             

"Do you support or oppose keeping about 10,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan to train Afghan forces and assist in counter-insurgency operations in the year ahead?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

12/11-14/14

54 43 3    

 

Quinnipiac University. June 24-30, 2014. N=1,446 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.6.

             

"From what you've read and heard, do you think Barack Obama is removing U.S. troops from Afghanistan too quickly, not quickly enough, or is he handling this about right?"

 
    Too
quickly
Not quickly
enough
About
right
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/24-30/14

26 20 46 8  
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama administration releasing five Taliban prisoners in exchange for the Taliban releasing U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/24-30/14

37 54 9    

 

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by Hart Research Associates (D) and Public Opinion Strategies (R). June 11-15, 2014. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

             

"As you may know, the Obama administration recently secured the release of U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held by the Afghanistan Taliban for five years. In exchange, five Taliban fighters that were being held by the U.S. were released. On balance, do you think the Obama administration should or should not have made this prisoner exchange, or do you not have an opinion one way or the other?" Options rotated

 
    Should
have
Should
not have
No opinion Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/11-15/14

30 44 25 1  
             

"Do the details of Sergeant Bergdahl's disappearance from a base in Afghanistan and how he ended up a prisoner of the Taliban matter or not matter when it comes to the United States' decision to secure his release?"

 
    Do matter Do not
matter
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/11-15/14

47 46 7    

 

CBS News Poll. June 8-9, 2014. N=1,013 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"As you may know, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who was being held captive by the Taliban, was released in exchange for five Taliban members who were being held by the U.S. at Guantanamo Bay prison. Do you approve or disapprove of this exchange?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

ALL

37 45 18    
 

Republicans

22 65 13    
 

Democrats

53 27 20    
 

Independents

33 47 20    
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the situation involving the release of Sgt. Bergdahl?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

ALL

35 49 16    
 

Republicans

12 76 12    
 

Democrats

61 26 13    
 

Independents

28 51 21    
             

"Do you think President Obama should or should not have notified Congress before he authorized the prisoner exchange?"

 
    Should
have
Should
not have
Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

6/8-9/14

72 20 8    
             

"Do you think the terms of the United States agreement with the Taliban to get Sgt. Bergdahl released were reasonable, or do you think the U.S. paid too high a price in the agreement with the Taliban?" Options rotated

 
    Reasonable Too high
a price
Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

6/8-9/14

28 56 17    
             

"From what you've heard or read, do you think Sgt. Bergdahl deliberately abandoned his post in Afghanistan before he was captured by the Taliban, or not?"

 
    Did Did not Unsure/
No answer
   
    % % %    
 

6/8-9/14

35 25 40    
             

"Do you think the exchange of Sgt. Bergdahl for members of the Taliban will increase the threat of terrorism against the United States, decrease the threat of terrorism against the United States, or will it not have much effect on the threat of terrorism against the United States?"

 
    Increase Decrease Not much
effect
Unsure/
No answer
 
    % % % %  
 

6/8-9/14

49 3 40 9  

 

Gallup Poll. June 5-8, 2014. N=1,027 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the release of U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held in Afghanistan by the Taliban for five years?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/5-8/14

38 50 12    
             

"Which is more important for the U.S. to consider when Americans are held captive by terrorist groups: assuring the safe release of the American prisoners, even if it means working out some compromise on terrorist demands, OR, discouraging future prisoner-taking by refusing to deal with terrorist demands, even if that risks the lives of the American prisoners?" Options rotated

 
    Safe
release of
prisoners
Refusing to
deal with
terrorists
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/5-8/14

43 44 13    
             

"Next, how closely are you following the news about the release of U.S. Army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who had been held captive in Afghanistan by the Taliban for five years but was just released in a prisoner exchange: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely or not at all?" Options rotated

 
    Very
closely
Somewhat
closely
Not too
closely
Not at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/5-8/14

31 34 21 14 1
             

"Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Bowe Bergdahl, or have you never heard of him?"

 
    Favorable Unfavorable Never
heard of
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/5-8/14

13 37 30 21  

 

Pew Research Center/USA Today. June 5-8, 2014. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.6.

             

"As I read a list of some stories covered by news organizations this past week, please tell me if you happened to follow each news story very closely, fairly closely, not too closely, or not at all closely. ... The release of captive U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl from Afghanistan, in exchange for five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay."

 
    Very
closely
Fairly
closely
Not too
closely
Not at all
closely
Unsure/
Refused
    % % % % %
 

6/5-8/14

34 25 21 18 2
             

"Do you think it was the right thing or the wrong thing for the Obama administration to exchange five Taliban prisoners for captive U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl?"

 
    Right
thing
Wrong
thing
Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

6/5-8/14

34 43 23    
             

"Which better describes how you feel about Bowe Bergdahl? Are you sympathetic toward him, angry with him, or neither in particular?"

 
    Sympathetic Angry Neither Unsure/
Refused
 
    % % % %  
 

6/5-8/14

15 15 59 10  
             

"Which comes closer to your view, even if neither is exactly right? Because soldier Bowe Bergdahl left his post, the U.S. was not obligated to do all it could to secure his release. The U.S. has a responsibility to do all it can to return an American captive soldier, no matter what the circumstances." Options rotated

 
    Not obligated
to do all
it could
Do all it can,
no matter
what
Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

6/5-8/14

29 56 15    
             

"Which comes closer to your view about the decision to exchange prisoners for Bowe Bergdahl? The president should have the flexibility to make decisions like these without informing Congress in advance. The president should be required to inform Congress in advance of decisions like these." Options rotated

 
    Should have
flexibility
Required
to inform
Congress
Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

6/5-8/14

30 64 6    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. June 4-8, 2014. N=1,023 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the Obama administration releasing five Taliban prisoners in exchange for the Taliban releasing U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/4-8/14

39 51 9    
             

"If it's found that Bergdahl deserted his post, would you support or oppose his being charged with a military crime?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/4-8/14

73 20 7    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. May 29-June 1, 2014. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Obama has said he will reduce U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan to 9,800 by the end of this year, half of that next year and near zero by 2016. Do you support or oppose this troop-reduction plan?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

5/29 - 6/1/14

77 19 4    

 

CBS News Poll. March 20-23, 2014. N=1,097 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Most U.S. troops are expected to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014. From what you know, how likely do you think it is that Afghanistan will be a stable country after U.S. troops leave: very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely or not at all likely?"

 
    Very
likely
Somewhat
likely
Not very
likely
Not at
all likely
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/20-23/14

5 24 38 30 3

 

Gallup Poll. Feb. 6-9, 2014. N=1,023 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Looking back, do you think the United States made a mistake sending troops to fight in Afghanistan in 2001?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

2/6-9/14

49 48 3    
 

3/7-10/13

44 51 5    

 

Pew Research Center/USA Today. Jan. 15-19, 2014. N=739 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.2.
5/2/11: Co-sponsored by The Washington Post.

             

"Do you think the U.S. made the right decision or the wrong decision in using military force in Afghanistan?"

 
    Right
decision
Wrong
decision
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

1/15-19/14

51 41 8    
 

10/30 - 11/6/13

56 37 8    
 

6/15-19/11

57 35 8    
 

8/25 - 9/6/10

52 38 10    
 

1/7-11/09

64 25 11    
 

2/20-24/08

65 24 11    
 

12/6-10/06

61 29 10    
 

1/4-8/06

69 20 11    
             

"Overall, do you think the United States has mostly succeeded or mostly failed in achieving its goals in Afghanistan?"

 
    Mostly
succeeded
Mostly
failed
Unsure/
Refused
   
    % % %    
 

1/15-19/14

38 52 10    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 12-15, 2013. N=1,005 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"In the year ahead, would you rather have the United States remove all U.S. forces from Afghanistan, or remove most U.S. forces from Afghanistan but keep some there for training and anti-insurgency operations?" Options rotated

 
    Remove
all
Remove
most
Neither
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

12/12-15/13

41 55 1 2  
 

7/18-21/13

43 53 1 2  

 

CNN/ORC Poll. Sept. 6-8, 2013. N=1,022 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"In view of the developments since we first sent our troops to Afghanistan, do you think the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Afghanistan, or not?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

9/6-8/13

49 50 1    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. March 7-10, 2013. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, or not?"
10/09: "All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan was / has been worth fighting, or not?" -- "was" and "has been" each asked of half the sample.
9/09 & earlier: "All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war in Afghanistan WAS worth fighting, or not?"

 
    Worth
fighting
Not worth
fighting
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/7-10/13

39 56 5    
 

4/5-8/12

30 66 4    
 

3/7-10/12

35 60 5    
 

6/2-5/11

43 54 3    
 

3/10-13/11

31 64 5    
 

12/9-12/10

34 60 5    
 

7/7-11/10

43 53 4    
 

6/3-6/10

44 53 3    
 

4/22-25/10

45 52 3    
 

12/10-13/09

52 44 4    
 

11/12-15/09

44 52 4    
 

10/15-18/09

47 49 4    
 

9/10-12/09

46 51 3    
 

8/13-17/09

47 51 3    
 

7/15-18/09

51 45 4    
 

3/26-29/09

56 41 4    
 

2/19-22/09

50 47 3    
 

12/11-14/08

55 39 5    
 

7/10-13/08

51 45 4    
 

2/22-25/07

56 41 3    

 

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Jan. 12-15, 2013. N=1,000 adults nationwide.

             

"Do you think the war in Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al Qaeda has been very successful, somewhat successful, somewhat unsuccessful, or very unsuccessful?" Half sample (Form B)

 
    Very
successful
Somewhat
successful
Somewhat
unsuccessful
Very
unsuccessful
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

1/12-15/13

7 55 22 13 3
 

2/29 - 3/3/12

9 48 23 18 2
 

5/5-7/11

7 55 23 11 4
 

3/31 - 4/4/11

3 54 27 15 1
 

12/11-14/09

2 37 29 27 5
 

9/17-20/09

8 38 26 23 5
 

10/13-16/06

9 42 23 24 2

 

Pew Research Center. Oct. 4-7, 2012. N=1,511 adults nationwide.
5/2/11: Co-sponsored by The Washington Post.

             

"How well is the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan going: very well, fairly well, not too well, or not at all well?" N=762 (Form 1), margin of error ± 4.1.

 
    Very well Fairly well Not too
well
Not at
all well
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

10/4-7/12

8 32 35 18 5
 

4/4-15/12

7 31 31 18 12
 

3/7-11/12

13 38 25 16 9
 

1/11-16/12

10 45 26 11 8
 

6/15-19/11

10 43 28 12 7
 

3/30 - 4/3/11

7 43 29 15 7
 

12/1-5/10

8 39 28 15 10
 

7/8-11/10

9 40 31 9 11
 

6/16-20/10

8 40 32 13 7
 

3/10-14/10

9 43 22 13 13
 

12/9-13/09

7 39 32 11 10
 

10/28 - 11/8/09

4 32 41 16 6
 

1/7-11/09

7 38 34 11 10
             

"Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in Afghanistan until the situation has stabilized, or do you think the U.S. should remove troops as soon as possible?" N=762 (Form 1), margin of error ± 4.1.
4/11 & earlier: "Do you think the U.S. and NATO should keep military troops in Afghanistan until the situation has stabilized, or do you think the U.S. and NATO should remove their troops as soon as possible?"

 
    Stay until
stabilized
Remove
troops ASAP
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

10/4-7/12

35 60 5    
 

4/4-15/12

32 60 8    
 

3/7-11/12

35 57 7    
 

1/11-16/12

38 56 6    
 

6/15-19/11

39 56 4    
 

5/5-8/11

43 49 8    
 

5/2/11

47 48 4    
 
 

3/30 - 4/3/11

44 50 6    
 

12/1-5/10

44 47 8    
 

7/8-11/10

47 42 11    
 

6/16-20/10

53 40 6    
 

2/20-24/08

61 32 7    
             

"From what you've read and heard, do you think Barack Obama is removing U.S. troops from Afghanistan too quickly, not quickly enough, or is he handling this about right?" N=749 (Form 2), margin of error ± 4.2.
2011: "From what you've read and heard, do you think Barack Obama will remove U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan too quickly, not quickly enough, or is he handling this about right?"

 
    Too
quickly
Not quickly
enough
About
right
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

10/4-7/12

17 28 46 9  
 

2/8-12/12

20 22 53 5  
 
 

6/23-26/11

14 29 44 13  
 

2/22 - 3/1/11

12 30 50 9  

 

Quinnipiac University Poll. July 1-8, 2012. N=2,722 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 1.9.

             

"Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now?"

 
    Doing the
right thing
Should not
be involved
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

ALL

31 60 9    
 

Republicans

45 47 7    
 

Democrats

25 67 8    
 

Independents

28 63 9    
 
 

10/25-31/11

31 60 8    
 

8/16-27/11

35 58 7    
 

7/5-11/11

39 55 6    
 

5/31 - 6/6/11

40 52 8    
 

5/2-3/11

46 47 7    
 

4/26 - 5/1/11

34 60 6    
 

3/22-28/11

41 50 9    
 

1/4-11/11

41 51 8    
 

11/8-15/10

44 50 6    
 

8/31 - 9/7/10

49 41 10    
 

7/13-19/10

48 43 9    
 

5/19-24/10

49 42 9    
 

4/14-19/10

56 36 8    
 

3/22-23/10

55 37 8    
 

2/2-8/10

56 37 7    
 

1/5-11/10

59 35 6    
 

12/15-20/09

51 41 8    

 

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. May 3-7, 2012. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.9.

             

"Do you favor or oppose the war in Afghanistan?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure Refused  
    % % % %  
 

5/3-7/12

27 66 6 1  
 

5/5-9/11

37 59 4 -  
 

9/8-13/10

37 62 2 -  
 

8/11-16/10

38 58 3 1  
 

3/3-8/10

46 50 3 1  
 

1/12-17/10

43 54 3 -  
 

12/10-14/09

39 57 3 1  
 

11/5-9/09

39 57 3 1  
 

10/1-5/09

40 57 2 1  
 

7/16-20/09

44 53 3 1  
             

"Do you think the continued presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is doing more to help or more to hurt Afghanistan's efforts to become a stable democracy?"

 
    More to
help
More to
hurt
Unsure Refused  
    % % % %  
 

5/3-7/12

48 36 14 1  

 

Fox News Poll conducted by Anderson Robbins Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R). April 22-24, 2012. N=915 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Do you approve or disapprove of the U.S. withdrawing military troops in Afghanistan?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

4/22-24/12

78 16 6    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 5-8, 2012. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Considering everything, do you think most Afghans support or oppose what the United States is trying to do in Afghanistan?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

4/5-8/12

22 62 15    
 

3/7-10/12

30 55 15    
             

"You may have heard about the recent incident in which a U.S. soldier has been accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians. Do you think this attack on civilians was an isolated incident, or do you think it indicates broader problems with the way the U.S. military monitors the mental health of service members?"

 
    Isolated
incident
Indicates
broader
problems
Both (vol.) Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

4/5-8/12

44 43 3 9  
             

"In general and apart from this incident, do you think the U.S. military should do more to monitor the mental health of service members, or is it doing enough now?"

 
    Should
do more
Doing
enough
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

4/5-8/12

79 14 7    
             

"Do you think the military should limit the amount of time service members can be deployed to combat areas, or do you think limits on deployments are not needed?"

 
    Should limit Limits not
needed
Depends
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

4/5-8/12

80 15 2 3  

 

CNN/ORC Poll. March 24-25, 2012. N=1,014 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Do you favor or oppose the U.S. war in Afghanistan?"

 
    Favor Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/24-25/12

25 72 3    
 

11/18-20/11

35 63 3    
 

10/14-16/11

34 63 3    
 

6/3-7/11

36 62 2    
 

5/2/11

42 52 5    
 

1/21-23/11

40 58 1    
 

12/17-19/10

35 63 2    
 

10/5-7/10

37 58 5    
 

9/21-23/10

39 58 3    
 

9/1-2/10

41 57 2    
 

8/6-10/10

37 62 1    
 

5/21-23/10

42 56 2    
 

3/19-21/10

48 49 3    
 

1/22-24/10

47 52 1    
 

12/16-20/09

43 55 3    
 

12/2-3/09

46 51 2    
 

11/13-15/09

45 52 3    
 

10/30 - 11/1/09

40 58 2    
 

10/16-18/09

41 57 2    
 

9/11-13/09

39 58 3    
 

8/28-31/09

42 57 2    
 

7/31 - 8/3/09

41 54 5    
 

5/14-17/09

50 48 3    
 

4/3-5/09

53 46 1    
 

2/18-19/09

47 51 2    
 

12/1-2/08

52 46 2    
 

7/27-29/08

46 52 2    
 

1/19-21/07

44 52 4    
 

9/22-24/06

50 48 2    
             

"As you may know, the U.S. plans to remove all of its troops from Afghanistan in 2014. If you had to choose, would you rather see the U.S. remove all of its troops earlier than that, or wait until 2014 to withdraw all of its troops, or keep some troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014?"

 
    All earlier
than 2014
All in
2014
Keep some
beyond 2014
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/24-25/12

55 22 22 1  
             

"In general, how would you say things are going for the U.S. in Afghanistan: very well, moderately well, moderately badly, or very badly?" N=504 (Form A), MoE ± 4.5

 
    Very well Moderately
well
Moderately
badly
Very badly Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/24-25/12

1 36 39 22 1
 

5/2/11

5 56 27 9 3
 

12/17-19/10

2 42 35 21 1
 

9/21-23/10

4 40 35 19 2
 

3/19-21/10

4 51 29 14 2
 

11/13-15/09

2 30 42 24 2
 

5/14-17/09

3 33 44 17 3
 

3/9-11/07

5 35 34 21 4
             

"Do you think the United States is winning or not winning the war in Afghanistan?" N=510 (Form B), MoE ± 4.5

 
    Winning Not winning Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/24-25/12

34 61 5    
 

6/3-7/11

47 46 6    
 

8/6-10/10

31 66 3    
 

8/28-31/09

35 62 4    
 

2/18-19/09

31 64 5    
 

12/1-2/08

36 60 4    

 

CBS News/New York Times Poll. March 21-25, 2012. N=986 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"What is your impression of how the war in Afghanistan is going for the United States right now: very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?"

 
    Very well Somewhat
well
Somewhat
badly
Very badly Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/21-25/12

3 22 33 35 7
 

11/6-10/11

4 44 31 11 10
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

3 37 38 15 7
 

6/24-28/11

6 47 27 13 7
 

3/18-21/11

4 40 34 15 7
 

2/11-14/11

3 33 36 19 9
 

10/21-26/10

3 35 36 19 7
 

9/10-14/10

2 36 34 21 7
 

8/20-24/10

2 35 38 14 11
 

7/9-12/10

2 29 41 21 7
 

5/20-24/10

2 38 37 12 11
 

12/4-8/09

1 29 43 17 10
 

11/13-16/09

4 19 42 27 8
 

9/19-23/09

3 32 38 15 12
 

8/27-31/09

2 35 34 18 11
 

7/24-28/09

3 30 39 18 10
 

7/9-12/09

2 34 40 15 9
 

6/12-16/09

2 28 40 15 15
 

4/22-26/09

1 37 40 13 9
 

4/1-5/09

3 33 37 15 12
 

3/12-16/09

3 30 36 21 10
 

12/4-7/08

2 25 44 18 11
 

9/21-24/08

2 29 32 23 14
 

8/15-19/08

3 25 40 18 14
 

3/20-24/03

30 46 11 3 10
 

9/22-23/02

19 53 20 3 5
 

9/2-5/02

14 58 16 3 8
 

7/8-9/02

13 54 21 7 5
 

6/18-20/02

14 51 21 8 6
 

5/13-14/02

18 55 17 3 7
             

"Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now?"

 
    Is doing the
right thing
Should not
be involved
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/21-25/12

23 69 8    
 

11/6-10/11

36 53 11    
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

34 57 9    
 

6/24-28/11

35 58 7    
 

6/3-7/11

43 51 6    
 

3/18-21/11

39 53 8    
 

2/11-14/11

37 54 9    
 

9/10-14/10

38 54 8    
 

8/20-24/10

43 48 9    
 

12/4-8/09

49 39 11    
 

10/5-8/09

51 39 10    
 

9/19-23/09

47 42 11    
             

"Regardless of whether you think taking military action in Afghanistan was the right thing to do, would you say the war in Afghanistan has been mostly a success for the United States, or not?"

 
    A success Not a
success
Mixed
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/21-25/12

27 59 6 8  
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

39 50 4 7  
             

"The U.S. is expected to withdraw about a third of its troops in Afghanistan by the end of 2012 and all of its troops by the end of 2014. Which of the following comes closest to your opinion? The U.S. should withdraw all of its troops sooner, and not wait until the end of 2014. The U.S. should keep the timetable and withdraw all of its troops by the end of 2014. OR, The U.S. should stay in Afghanistan for as long as it takes to stabilize the situation there."

 
    Withdraw
sooner
Keep the
timetable
Stay as long
as it takes
Withdraw
now (vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/21-25/12

44 33 17 3 3
             

"Since Osama bin Laden has been killed, do you feel you have a clear idea of what the war in Afghanistan is all about, that is, what we are fighting for?"
10/11: "Now that Osama bin Laden has been killed, do you feel that you have a clear idea of what the war in Afghanistan is all about, that is, what we are fighting for?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/21-25/12

42 55 3    
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

50 43 7    

 

USA Today/Gallup Poll. March 13, 2012. N=1,006 adults nationwide, interviewed via Gallup Daily tracking. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"As you may know, the U.S. plans to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year 2014. Which would you prefer to see happen -- for the U.S. to stick to its timetable for withdrawing troops by 2014, speed up its withdrawal from Afghanistan, or keep troops in Afghanistan as long as it takes to accomplish its goals?" Options rotated

 
    Stick to
timetable
Speed up
withdrawal
Stay as
long as
it takes
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

3/13/12

24 50 21 4  
             

"Have events in Afghanistan in recent months changed your mind about how long U.S. troops should be kept in Afghanistan, or not?" If yes: "Have events in recent months made you think U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan earlier than you previously thought, or kept in Afghanistan longer than you previously thought?" Options rotated. Combined responses.

 
    Changed:
Withdrawn
earlier
Changed:
Kept longer
Changed:
Other (vol.)
Have not
changed
mind
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/13/12

27 6 2 60 5
             

"How worried are you that withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan too quickly will make Afghanistan a safe haven for terrorists plotting attacks against the U.S.: very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?"

 
    Very
worried
Somewhat
worried
Not too
worried
Not worried
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/13/12

19 39 21 19 3
             

"How worried are you that keeping U.S. troops in Afghanistan makes the United States more vulnerable to terrorist attacks: very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?"

 
    Very
worried
Somewhat
worried
Not too
worried
Not worried
at all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/13/12

15 35 27 21 2
             

"Looking back, do you think sending troops to Afghanistan was the right thing or the wrong thing for the U.S. to do?"

 
    Right thing Wrong thing Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/13/12

59 35 6    
 

12/2/09

62 32 6    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. March 7-10, 2012. N=1,003 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Do you think the United States should keep its military forces in Afghanistan until it has trained the Afghan army to be self-sufficient, OR, do you think the United States should withdraw its military forces even if the Afghan army is not adequately trained?" Options rotated

 
    Stay until
Afghan army
self-sufficient
Withdraw Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/7-10/12

43 54 3    
             

"Considering everything, do you think most Afghans support or oppose what the United States is trying to do in Afghanistan?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

3/7-10/12

30 55 15    

 

CNN/ORC Poll. Nov. 18-20, 2011. N=1,019 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Do you favor or oppose the U.S. war in Afghanistan?" If oppose: "Which of the following statements comes closer to your view? You oppose the U.S. war in Afghanistan because you think the initial decision in 2001 to go to war in Afghanistan was a mistake. OR, You oppose the U.S. war in Afghanistan because you think the war has been mismanaged." Combined responses.

 
    Favor Oppose:
A mistake
Oppose:
Mismanaged
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

11/18-20/11

35 26 34 5  

 

CBS News Poll. Nov. 6-10, 2011. N=1,182 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"From what you have seen or heard about the situation in Afghanistan, what should the United States do now -- should the U.S. increase the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, keep the same number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan as there are now, or decrease the numbers of troops in Afghanistan?"

 
    Increase Keep the
same
Decrease Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

11/6-10/11

8 27 58 7  
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

7 24 62 7  
 

6/3-7/11

8 22 64 6  
 

11/13-16/09

32 20 39 9  
 

10/5-8/09

37 17 38 8  
 

9/19-23/09

29 27 32 12  
 

8/27-31/09

25 23 41 11  
 

4/1-5/09

39 18 33 10  
 

2/18-22/09

42 23 24 11  
 

1/11-15/09

34 28 26 12  

 

CNN/ORC Poll. Oct. 14-16, 2011. N=1,007 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Do you think the United States made a mistake in sending military forces to Afghanistan, or not?"

 
    A mistake Not a
mistake
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

10/14-16/11

41 57 2    
             

"Do you think the war in Afghanistan has turned into a situation like the United States faced in the Vietnam War, or don't you think so?"

 
    A situation
like Vietnam
Don't
think so
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

10/14-16/11

58 39 3    
 

10/5-7/10

52 39 9    
 

10/16-18/09

52 46 3    

 

CBS News Poll. Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2011. N=1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"From what you know about the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, how much longer would you be willing to have large numbers of U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan: less than a year, one to two years, two to five years, five to ten years, or as long as it takes?"

 
      9/28 -
10/2/11
7/9-12/10 12/4-8/09 9/19-23/09
      % % % %
 

Less than a year

38 33 32 31
 

One to two years

24 23 25 24
 

Two to five years

10 7 6 11
 

Five to ten years

3 2 1 1
 

As long as it takes

18 26 26 26
 

Should leave now (vol.)

2 2 4 1
 

Unsure

5 7 6 6
             

"Has the war in Afghanistan been longer than you expected, shorter than you expected, or has it been about as long as you expected?"

 
    Longer Shorter About
as long
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

69 1 25 5  
             

"As a result of the United States' military action in Afghanistan, do you think the United States is more safe from terrorism, less safe from terrorism, or hasn't it made any difference?"

 
    More safe Less safe No
difference
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

47 10 40 3  
             

"Which comes closer to your view about U.S. military operations in Afghanistan? The U.S. was right to remove the Taliban from power and stay in Afghanistan to help stabilize the country. The U.S. was right to remove the Taliban from power but then should have left Afghanistan soon after that. OR, The U.S. should never have gotten involved in Afghanistan in the first place."

 
    Right to
remove and
stay to help
stabilize
Right to
remove, but
should have
then left
Should never
have gotten
involved in
first place
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

39 32 24 5  
             

"The U.S. is expected to withdraw about a third of the number of troops currently stationed in Afghanistan by the end of 2012. When these troops are withdrawn, do you think there will be more violence in Afghanistan than there is now, less violence than there is now, or about the same amount of violence as there is now?"

 
    More Less About
the same
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

9/28 - 10/2/11

28 13 52 7  

 

Quinnipiac University Poll. July 5-11, 2011. N=2,311 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.

             

"Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's decision to withdraw 33,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by next summer?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

7/5-11/11

75 19 5    

 

CBS News/New York Times Poll. June 24-28, 2011. N=979 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Now that Osama Bin Laden has been killed, do you think that the United States has completed its primary mission in Afghanistan and the surrounding areas, or not?"

 
    Has Has not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/24-28/11

36 58 6    
             

"Barack Obama has announced a plan to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan beginning this year, with a reduction of 33,000 troops by the end of the summer of 2012, about a third of the number of troops currently there. Do you approve or disapprove of this plan for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/24-28/11

79 17 4    
             

"By the end of summer 2012, would you like to see more than a third of U.S. troops removed from Afghanistan, less than a third of U.S. troops removed, or about a third of U.S. troops removed from Afghanistan?"

 
    More than
a third
Less than
a third
About a
third
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/24-28/11

59 10 26 5  
             

"When the U.S. withdraws its troops from Afghanistan, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States will increase, decrease, or stay the same?"

 
    Increase Decrease Stay the
same
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/24-28/11

26 6 65 3  

 

Pew Research Center. June 15-19, 2011. N=1,502 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5. 5/2/11: Co-sponsored by The Washington Post.

             

"Regardless of what you think about the original decision to use military force in Afghanistan, do you now believe that the United States will definitely succeed, probably succeed, probably fail, or definitely fail in achieving its goals in Afghanistan?"

 
    Definitely
succeed
Probably
succeed
Probably
fail
Definitely
fail
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/15-19/11

13 45 26 8 8
 

5/5-8/11

19 43 18 6 13
 

5/2/11

19 44 20 6 10
 

12/1-5/10

9 40 30 9 11
 

6/16-20/10

14 45 26 7 8
 

3/10-14/10

12 46 22 7 12
 

12/9-13/09

11 48 25 7 10
 

1/7-11/09

13 49 23 6 9
             

"All things considered, how likely is it that Afghanistan will be able to maintain a stable government after most U.S. forces leave the country . . . ?"

 
    Very likely Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very unlikely Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/15-19/11

5 33 31 25 5

 

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. June 3-7, 2011. N=1,015 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Which comes closest to your view about what the U.S. should now do about the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan? The U.S. should send more troops to Afghanistan. The U.S. should keep the number of troops as it is now. The U.S. should withdraw some troops from Afghanistan. OR, The U.S. should withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan."

 
    Send more Keep same
number
Withdraw
some
Withdraw
all
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/3-7/11

6 18 35 39 2
 

5/2/11

4 28 34 30 3
 

5/14-17/09

26 27 22 23 2
             

"Do you think the United States can or cannot win the war in Afghanistan?"

 
    Can Cannot Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/3-7/11

54 42 4    
 

8/6-10/10

49 49 2    
 

8/28-31/09

59 40 1    
 

2/18-19/09

62 35 3    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. June 2-5, 2011. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Do you think the United States should or should not withdraw a substantial number of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan this summer?" Half sample

 
    Should Should not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/2-5/11

73 23 4    
 

3/10-13/11

73 21 5    
             

"Do you think the United States will or will not withdraw a substantial number of U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan this summer?" Half sample

 
    Will Will not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/2-5/11

43 50 7    
 

3/10-13/11

39 53 8    

 

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. May 5-9, 2011. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.2.

             

"Do you approve, disapprove or neither approve nor disapprove of Barack Obama's decision to begin withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan in July, 2011, and end U.S. combat operations there by 2014?" If unsure: "If you had to choose, do you lean more toward approving or disapproving of Barack Obama's decision to begin withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan in July, 2011, and end U.S. combat operations there by 2014?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Neither    
    % % %    
 

5/5-9/11

80 15 5    
             

"Do you think the pace of the planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan is too fast, too slow, or about right?"

 
    Too fast Too slow About right Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

5/5-9/11

15 26 57 2  

 

Gallup Poll. May 5-8, 2011. N=1,018 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Thinking now about U.S. military action in Afghanistan that began in October 2001: Do you think the United States made a mistake in sending military forces to Afghanistan, or not?"

 
    Made a
mistake
Did not make
a mistake
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

5/5-8/11

39 58 3    
 

3/25-27/11

42 53 5    
 

11/19-21/10

39 58 3    
 

7/27 - 8/1/10

43 52 4    
 

7/8-11/10

38 58 4    
 

11/20-22/09

36 60 3    
 

8/31 - 9/2/09

37 61 2    
 

7/10-12/09

36 61 3    
 

3/14-15/09

42 52 6    
 

1/30 - 2/1/09

30 66 4    
 

8/21-23/08

34 63 3    
 

7/25-27/08

28 68 4    
 

8/3-5/07

25 70 5    
 

7/19-21/04

25 72 3    
 

1/7-9/02

6 93 1    
 

11/8-11/01

9 89 2    
             

"In general, how would you say things are going for the U.S. in Afghanistan: very well, moderately well, moderately badly, or very badly?" Options rotated. This question co-sponsored by USA Today.

 
    Very well Moderately
well
Moderately
badly
Very badly Unsure
    % % % % %
 

5/5-8/11

6 45 33 12 4
 

3/25-27/11

3 44 35 14 4
 

11/19-21/10

3 42 38 16 2
 

7/27 - 8/1/10

1 33 42 20 4
 

7/8-11/10

1 36 43 17 4
 

11/20-22/09

2 30 45 21 2
 

8/31 - 9/2/09

4 34 45 16 2
 

7/10-12/09

4 50 31 12 2
 

1/30 - 2/1/09

4 40 38 14 5
 

8/21-23/08

6 35 39 16 4
 

7/25-27/08

5 41 33 18 3
 

9/15-17/06

6 43 30 16 5
             

"Which comes closer to your view? The U.S. has accomplished its mission in Afghanistan and should bring its troops home. OR, The U.S. still has important work to do in Afghanistan and should maintain its troops there." Options rotated. This question co-sponsored by USA Today.

 
    Bring troops
home
Maintain
troops there
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

5/5-8/11

59 36 5    

 

NBC News Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). May 5-7, 2011. N=800 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Do you feel more confident or less confident that the war in Afghanistan will come to a successful conclusion?" Half sample (Form B)

 
    More
confident
Less
confident
Depends
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

5/5-7/11

38 50 6 6  
 

3/31 - 4/4/11

31 60 2 7  
 

8/5-9/10

23 68 3 6  
 

12/11-14/09

30 58 5 7  
 

9/17-20/09

28 59 6 7  
             

"President Obama has pledged to start reducing American troop levels in Afghanistan this year, but a recent plan by the U.S. and its NATO allies see some combat troops remaining there until 2014. Do you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove of leaving some American troops in Afghanistan until 2014?"

 
    Strongly
approve
Somewhat
approve
Somewhat
disapprove
Strongly
disapprove
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

5/5-7/11

17 35 20 26 2
 

3/31 - 4/4/11

15 37 19 27 2
 

12/9-13/10

19 34 16 29 2
             

"Now, thinking about the recent death of Osama bin Laden, which statement comes closest to what you think about Osama bin Laden's death? Statement A: The United States should remove our troops from Afghanistan because bin Laden's death indicates the Taliban and Al Qaeda are less of a threat and our presence there is no longer necessary. Statement B: The United States should keep our troops in Afghanistan because bin Laden's death does not change the overall mission of securing Afghanistan and the Taliban and Al Qaeda still remain a continuing threat." Options rotated

 
    Remove
our troops
Leave our
troops there
Depends
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

5/5-7/11

20 72 3 5  

 

Pew Research Center. May 2, 2011. N=654 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.5. Co-sponsored by The Washington Post.

             

"Does Osama bin Laden's death make you more confident or less confident that the U.S. can achieve its goals in the war in Afghanistan, or doesn't it affect your views either way?"

 
    More
confident
Less
confident
Doesn't
affect views
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

5/2/11

46 5 45 3  

 

Pew Research Center. March 30-April 3, 2011. N=1,507 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"In the long run, how likely is it that Afghanistan can become a country that is stable enough to withstand the threat posed by the Taliban or other extremist groups: very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not at all likely?"

 
    Very likely Somewhat
likely
Not too
likely
Not at
all likely
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

3/30 - 4/3/11

10 39 29 16 5
 

10/28 - 11/8/09

10 36 29 18 8

 

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Jan. 14-16, 2011. N=1,032 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"I'm going to read a list of actions Congress could take this year. Please say whether you strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose Congress doing each of the following this year. How about speed up the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan?"

 
    Strongly
favor
Favor Oppose Strongly
oppose
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

1/14-16/11

41 31 19 6 3

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Dec. 9-12, 2010. N=1,001 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"Who do you trust to do a better job handling the situation in Afghanistan: Obama or the Republicans in Congress?"

 
    Obama Republicans Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/9-12/10

41 39 3 11 6
 

12/10-13/09

47 35 1 14 4
 

11/12-15/09

46 41 1 9 3
             

"Obama has added 30,000 additional U.S. troops to their force in Afghanistan, and other NATO countries have added 7,000 more. Is this increase in U.S. and NATO forces something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat, or oppose strongly?"

 
    Support
strongly
Support
somewhat
Oppose
somewhat
Oppose
strongly
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/9-12/10

22 26 24 24 3
             

"Obama has said U.S. forces will start withdrawing from Afghanistan in summer 2011. Do you think they should start withdrawing sooner than that, later than that, or is this schedule about right?"

 
    Sooner Later About right Withdraw
now (vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

12/9-12/10

27 12 54 1 6
 

7/7-11/10

31 18 45 1 5
 

12/10-13/09

31 19 39 1 9

 

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Nov. 19-21, 2010. N=1,037 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"As you may know, President Obama plans to complete withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year 2014. Which comes closest to your view? You agree with the timetable of removing U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. You think the U.S. should complete withdrawing combat troops from Afghanistan before the end of 2014. OR, You think the U.S. should not set a timetable and keep combat troops in Afghanistan as long as needed to achieve its objectives there." Options rotated

 
    Agree with
timetable
Should be
withdrawn
sooner
Should not
set a
timetable
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

11/19-21/10

20 38 40 2  
             

"How worried are you that the costs of the war in Afghanistan will make it more difficult for the government to address the problems facing the United States at home: very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried, or not worried at all?"

 
    Very
worried
Somewhat
worried
Not too
worried
Not worried
at all
 
    % % % %  
 

11/19-21/10

31 37 21 10  

 

Bloomberg National Poll conducted by Selzer & Co. Oct. 7-10, 2010. N=721 likely voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

             

"Turning to the war in Afghanistan: Do you think the U.S. can win the war or do you think it is a lost cause?"

 
    U.S. can win It is a
lost cause
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

10/7-10/10

31 60 9    

 

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Oct. 5-7, 2010. N=1,008 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Who do you think is currently winning the war in Afghanistan: the U.S. and its allies, the insurgents in Afghanistan, or neither side?" N=501 (Form A), MoE ± 4.5

 
    U.S. and
its allies
Insurgents Neither side Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

10/5-7/10

18 9 71 2  
 

12/16-20/09

18 14 67 1  
 

12/6-9/07

30 10 58 2  
 

8/2-3/06

28 10 58 5  

 

Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Aug. 25-26, 2010. N=1,029 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.7.

             

"Do you think the United States is winning or losing the war in Afghanistan?"

 
    Winning Losing Neither (vol.) Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

8/25-26/10

27 41 14 18  
 

6/23-24/10

26 46 19 9  
             

"Do you think the United States should stick with the current plan and start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in July 2011 regardless of conditions on the ground there, OR change plans and only start removing troops then if conditions permit it, OR start withdrawing from Afghanistan sooner than is planned?"

 
    Stick with
current plan
Withdraw only
if conditions
permit
Withdraw
sooner than
planned
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

8/25-26/10

27 33 32 8  

 

AP-GfK Poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. Aug. 11-16, 2010. N=1,007 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.5.

             

"Over the next year, do you expect the situation in Afghanistan to get better, get worse or stay about the same?"

 
    Get better Get worse Stay about
the same
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

8/11-16/10

19 29 49 3  
 

12/10-14/09

31 23 44 2  

 

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. Aug. 6-10, 2010. N=1,009 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"How much confidence do you have in the ability of the government of Afghanistan to handle the situation in that country? Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not very confident, or not confident at all?"

 
    Very
confident
Somewhat
confident
Not very
confident
Not confident
at all
 
    % % % %  
 

8/6-10/10

6 23 35 36  

 

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). Aug. 5-9, 2010. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

             

"If the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan how much of a threat do you think this would be to American national security? Would it be a very serious threat, fairly serious threat, just a somewhat serious threat, or not so serious threat?"

 
    Very
serious
Fairly
serious
Just
somewhat
serious
Not so
serious
Unsure
    % % % % %
 

8/5-9/10

51 21 19 8 1

 

Quinnipiac University Poll. July 13-19, 2010. N=2,181 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 2.1.

             

"Do you think the U.S. is doing the right thing by fighting the war in Afghanistan now, or should the U.S. not be involved in Afghanistan now?"

 
    Doing the
right thing
Should not
be involved
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

7/13-19/10

48 43 9    
 

5/19-24/10

49 42 9    
 

4/14-19/10

56 36 8    
 

3/22-23/10

55 37 8    
 

2/2-8/10

56 37 7    
 

1/5-11/10

59 35 6    
 

12/15-20/09

51 41 8    
             

"Do you think eliminating the threat from terrorists operating from Afghanistan is a worthwhile goal for American troops to fight and possibly die for or not?"

 
    Is
worthwhile
Is not
worthwhile
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

7/13-19/10

59 34 7    
 

4/14-19/10

61 31 8    
 

12/1-6/09

64 30 6    
 

11/9-16/09

65 29 7    
 

9/29 - 10/5/09

65 28 7    
             

"Do you think the United States will be successful in eliminating the threat from terrorists operating from Afghanistan or not?"

 
    Will be
successful
Will not be
successful
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

7/13-19/10

35 55 9    
 

12/1-6/09

38 52 11    
 

11/9-16/09

36 53 11    
 

9/29 - 10/5/09

38 49 13    

 

CBS News Poll. July 9-12, 2010. N=966 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"Do you think the United States should or should not set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan?"

 
    Should Should not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

7/9-12/10

54 41 5    

 

FOX News/Opinion Dynamics Poll. June 29-30, 2010. N=900 registered voters nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

             

"I'm going to read you the names of several individuals. Please tell me whether you have a generally favorable or unfavorable opinion of each one. If you've never heard of someone, please just say so. . . ."

 
    Favorable Unfavorable Can't say Never
heard of
 
    % % % %  
 
 

Stanley McChrystal

 

6/29-30/10

25 17 16 42  
 
 

David Petraeus

 

6/29-30/10

47 8 14 32  
             

"How much overall confidence do you have in the following individuals: a great deal, some, not much, or none at all? General David Petraeus."

 
    A great deal Some Not much None at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/29-30/10

29 36 7 6 21
             

"Do you support or oppose the U.S. military action in Afghanistan?"

 
    Support Oppose Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/29-30/10

62 31 7    
 

9/29-30/09

64 27 9    
             

"Thinking about Afghanistan, do you think it is possible to achieve stability in the region, or not?"

 
    Is possible Is not possible Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/29-30/10

33 58 10    
 

10/13-14/09

31 59 10    
             

"Do you think General McChrystal deserved to be fired from his post as the top commander in Afghanistan, or not?"

 
    Deserved
to be fired
Did not
deserve
Not aware
(vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/29-30/10

42 36 5 17  
             

"Do you believe what happens in Afghanistan matters to your security here in the United States?"

 
    Yes No Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/29-30/10

76 20 4    
 

12/8-9/09

83 14 3    
             

"Do you think the United States should stick with the announced July 2011 date to start removing troops from Afghanistan regardless of conditions in Afghanistan or should the U.S. remove its troops from Afghanistan in July 2011 only if the conditions permit it?"

 
    Stick with
July 2011
If conditions
permit it
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/29-30/10

34 58 8    
             

"Do you believe President Obama is -- or is not -- prepared to do whatever it takes to win in Afghanistan?"

 
    Is Is not Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/29-30/10

40 49 11    

 

USA Today/Gallup Poll. June 25-26, 2010. N=1,044 adults nationwide, interviewed via Gallup Daily tracking. Margin of error ± 4.

             

"Turning back to Barack Obama, how would you rate the job President Obama is doing of handling the situation in Afghanistan: very good, good, poor or very poor?"

 
    Very good Good Poor Very poor Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/25-26/10

8 42 28 16 5
             

"As you may know, President Obama has set a timetable to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan no later than July 2011. Do you favor or oppose this timetable?"

 
    Favor
timetable
Oppose
timetable
Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/25-26/10

58 38 5    
             

"As you may know, President Obama has set a timetable to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan no later than July 2011. Do you favor or oppose this timetable?" If oppose: "Do you oppose the timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan because you think the U.S. should begin withdrawing troops before July 2011, you think the U.S. should not begin withdrawing troops until sometime after July 2011, or you do not think the U.S. should set any timetable for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan?" Options rotated. Combined responses.

 
    Favor
timetable
Oppose
timetable:
Should begin
earlier
Oppose
timetable:
Should begin
later
Oppose
timetable:
Shouldn't set
timetable
Oppose
timetable:
Unspecified
reason
    % % % % %
 

6/25-26/10

58 7 1 29 1
             

"Next, how closely are you following the news about President Obama's decision to remove General Stanley McChrystal from command of U.S. forces in Afghanistan: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely or not at all?"

 
    Very closely Somewhat
closely
Not too
closely
Not at all Unsure
    % % % % %
 

6/25-26/10

28 35 22 15 1
             

"Do you approve or disapprove of President Obama's decision to remove General McChrystal as commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

6/25-26/10

53 30 17    
             

"Next, we'd like to ask you about various actions President Obama could have taken in this matter. Regardless of whether you approve or disapprove of Obama's decision to remove General McChrystal, based on what you know or have read about the matter, which of the following would have been the best way for President Obama to handle it: remove General McChrystal from his command, reprimand him but not remove him, or not take any action against General McChrystal?" Options rotated

 
    Remove from
command
Reprimand,
not remove
Not take
any action
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/25-26/10

38 37 12 14  

 

Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. June 23-24, 2010. N=964 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.8.

             

"Do you approve or disapprove of Barack Obama's decision to relieve General Stanley McChrystal of his command in Afghanistan?"

 
    Approve Disapprove Unsure    
    % % %    
 

ALL

50 35 15    
 

Republicans

32 55 13    
 

Democrats

68 18 14    
 

Independents

49 34 17    

 

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. June 3-6, 2010. N=1,004 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.5.

             

"All told, do you think the United States is winning or losing the war in Afghanistan?"

 
    Winning Losing Neither/
Tie (vol.)
Unsure  
    % % % %  
 

6/3-6/10

42 39 12 7  
 

8/13-17/09

42 36 13 9  

 

Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. Feb. 17-18, 2010. N=1,009 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.6.

             

"As I read you some different issues and problems, please tell me who you think has the better approach to dealing with each one: Barack Obama or Republicans in Congress. Who do you think has the better approach on . . . ?"

 
    Barack
Obama
Republicans
in Congress
Same (vol.) Neither/
Other (vol.)
Unsure
    % % % % %
 
 

"The war in Afghanistan"

 

2/17-18/10

46 27 2 12 13

Afghanistan continued


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