Public Support For Afghan War Hits All-Time Low, Majority Call It Another Vietnam

Doug Mataconis · · 8 comments

A new CNN poll puts pubic support for the war in Afghanistan at it’s lowest level yet:

American support for the war in Afghanistan has never been lower, according to the latest CNN polling. The low numbers just the latest figure in the complex math being calculated to determine how the US should proceed in the ten year war. The latest poll from CNN and Opinion Research Corporation found only 37% of all Americans favor the war, 52% say the war in Afghanistan has turned into a Vietnam.

The new all-time low comes at the same time that the U.S. has completed a “surge” of 30,000 additional troops into the theater, and an increase in military operations, most of which have stayed out of the headlines in the United States:

The numbers right now suggest that the surge in troops has, not surprisingly, led to a surge in offensives. Last month there were 700 airstrikes, according to Air Force data obtained by National Security producer Jennifer Rizzo. A year ago only 257 strikes were logged.

Starting in December, conveniently after the midterm elections U.S. officials will begin yet another review of American strategy in Afghanistan and the predominant question will be whether or not the July 2011 deadline for the beginning of the withdrawal of U.S. forces should remain. Based on numbers like this, and the continued lack of cooperation from the Karzai government and our “allies” in Pakistan, it seems clear that the conditions are ripe for the President to announce the beginning of the end of America’s commitment in a country that seems to clearly be beyond our ability control. The only question is whether he has the political courage to make the decision to say that he made a mistake in thinking we could stabilize a country that seems to be inherently unstable.