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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
For Americans, No Side Wins in Afghanistan
- Many adults in the United States are disappointed with the progress of the war on terrorism, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 58 per cent of respondents think neither side is winning the conflict in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
At least 463 soldiers—including 329 Americans—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In November 2004, Hamid Karzai won the first-ever presidential election in Afghanistan with 55.4 per cent of all cast ballots. The former deputy foreign minister had been chosen to lead a transitional administration in November 2001. Afghan voters elected the 249-member House of the People in September 2005.
On Sept. 5, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the situation in Afghanistan, saying, "The experience of September the 11th made clear, in the long run, the only way to secure our nation is to change the course of the Middle East. (...) We're standing with Afghanistan's elected government against al-Qaeda and the Taliban remnants that are trying to restore tyranny in that country."
Polling Data
Who is winning the war in Afghanistan?
The United States | 28% |
The Insurgents | 10% |
Neither side | 58% |
Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,047 American adults, conducted from Aug. 2 and Aug. 3, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.