Poll Watch: Pew Research Survey on Afghanistan

Pew Research Survey on Afghanistan

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

• Right decision 57%
• Wrong decision 35%

Among Republicans

• Right decision 68%
• Wrong decision 25%

Among Democrats

• Right decision 54%
• Wrong decision 39%

Among Independents

• Right decision 56%
• Wrong decision 38%

How well is the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan going?

• Very well 10%
• Fairly well 43%
• Not too well 28%
• Not at all well 12%

Among Republicans

• Very/Fairly well 65%
• Not too/Not at all well 30%

Among Democrats

• Very/Fairly well 51%
• Not too/Not at all well 44%

Among Independents

• Very/Fairly well 51%
• Not too/Not at all well 43%

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 13%
• Probably succeed 45%
• Probably fail 26%
• Definitely fail 8%

Among Republicans

• Definitely/Probably succeed 67%
• Definitely/Probably fail 27%

Among Democrats

• Definitely/Probably succeed 61%
• Definitely/Probably fail 33%

Among Independents

• Definitely/Probably succeed 51%
• Definitely/Probably fail 40%

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?

• Keep troops in Afghanistan until situation has stabilized 39%
• Remove troops as soon as possible 56%

Among Republicans

• Keep troops in Afghanistan until situation has stabilized 53%
• Remove troops as soon as possible 43%

Among Democrats

• Keep troops in Afghanistan until situation has stabilized ~29%
• Remove troops as soon as possible 67%

Among Independents

• Keep troops in Afghanistan until situation has stabilized ~39%
• Remove troops as soon as possible 57%

Survey of 1,502 adults was conducted June 15-19, 2011. The margin of error is +/- 3.5 percentage points. Party ID breakdown: 34% Democrat; 26% Republican; 32% Independent.