War

Americans Split on Afghanistan Troop Increase vs. Decrease

Thirty-five percent support Gen. McChrystal’s recommendation for 40,000 additional troops

November 12, 2009

Forty-two percent of Americans believe President Barack Obama should increase U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan, either by the roughly 40,000 Gen. Stanley McChrystal recommended (35%) or by a smaller amount (7%). However, slightly more Americans, 44%, favor a reduction of U.S. troops in that country.More ...

Americans Split on What to Do in Afghanistan

November 12, 2009

While 42% of Americans would like to see President Obama send more troops to Afghanistan, 44% would prefer he begin to withdraw troops from the country.

Americans Tilt Against Sending More Troops to Afghanistan

Most who oppose also advocate that the U.S. begin to withdraw troops

September 25, 2009

Americans are more likely to oppose (50%) than to favor (41%) a possible decision by President Barack Obama to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan.More ...

Americans Say Afghanistan Going Badly, but Not a Mistake

Democrats remain more negative on the war than Republicans or independents

September 4, 2009

Six in 10 Americans (61%) say U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan was not a mistake, while the exact same percentage -- a record high -- concede things are going badly for the U.S. there.More ...

Americans Upbeat on Progress in Iraq, Afghanistan

Majority (58%) say going into Iraq was a mistake; 36% say so about Afghanistan

July 16, 2009

Americans are more likely now than at any point since 2003 to say things are going well for the U.S. in Iraq, but 58% still say U.S. involvement in Iraq was a mistake. By contrast, 36% say involvement in Afghanistan was a mistake.More ...

Americans Expect Security in Iraq to Worsen After Pullout

While 58% say security will worsen, only 27% expect it to get “a lot” worse

July 2, 2009

A majority of Americans (58%) expect security in Iraq to worsen now that U.S. forces are leaving major cities and towns there and turning security over to the Iraqis. However, only 27% say security will get a lot worse. Most doubt the U.S. will fully withdraw, as agreed upon, by the end of 2011.More ...

In U.S., Two-Thirds Say Peace Unachievable in Middle East

June 4, 2009

Sixty-six percent of Americans currently think that there will not come a time when Israel and the Arab nations will be able to settle their differences and live in peace, but 32% think that such a time will come.

Pelosi Gets Poor Marks for Handling Interrogation Matter

More disapprove than approve of speaker’s response

May 21, 2009

More Americans disapprove (47%) than approve (31%) of how House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has handled the matter concerning the government’s use of harsh interrogation techniques. Meanwhile, majorities approve of the way Barack Obama and the CIA have responded.More ...

Before War’s End, Many Sri Lankans Optimistic About Peace

Yet, indicators of hope for peace became more negative over past two years

May 20, 2009

In a 2008 Gallup Poll, 53% of Sri Lankans believed peace between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam would be achieved and 76% expressed support for the peace process between the two groups. Despite the relative optimism, both measures decreased between 2006 and 2008.More ...

Afghans Eager for Pakistan to Put Them Ahead of Taliban

Respondents split on whether a strong relationship is important

May 18, 2009

Prior to Pakistan’s recent offensive against the Taliban, a majority of Afghans (52%) perceived Pakistan to be supporting Taliban leadership, something 12% think it should do. In contrast, only 14% think Pakistan is helping with reconstruction in Afghanistan, while 43% think it should be.More ...