It was once viewed as the good war. Then it became America’s longest war. Now, according to poll findings released Monday, the 12-year military conflict in Afghanistan may be the most unpopular war.
A CNN/ORC International poll found that only 17 percent of Americans support the war in Afghanistan, down considerably from the 52 percent who backed the conflict in December of 2008. A staggering 82 percent of the country opposes the war, according to the poll.
The war, which began in 2001 shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, has long enjoyed bipartisan support. Democrats, including Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential race, often coupled their opposition to the Iraq war with a commitment to the military operation in Afghanistan. The invasion of Iraq, the argument went, diverted our attention and resources from the war in Afghanistan.
But polls have indicated that there’s no longer a much of an appetite for a military presence in the troubled country. The U.S. plans to remove nearly all troops from Afghanistan by next year, but Monday’s poll showed that a majority of Americans would prefer a speedier withdrawal.
