The Polls: More Interesting Numbers
The Washington Post has published a public opinion poll taken in Afghanistan that shows mixed progress for coalition troops. On the plus side security gains in Kandahar and Helmund Province have sunk in the public’s perception. 67% of those surveyed in Helmand Province say security is “good”. In the rest of the Afghanistan the picture is not so good:
Afghans are more pessimistic about the direction of their country, less confident in the ability of the United States and its allies to provide security and more willing to negotiate with the Taliban than they were a year ago.
The U.S. is facing a problem common in counter-insurgency campaigns. Even as the military successfully secures areas in the heart of Taliban country, the insurgents re-emerge elsewhere in the country.
The most perplexing poll numbers come from Kandahar where, despite the improvements in security, support for the Taliban has increased to 45%. These same respondents indicated that the Taliban had a strong presence in their village.
More promising poll numbers say that 75% believe the U.S. should begin negotiating with the Taliban and a similar percentage wants the U.S. to begin withdrawing next summer or sooner.
Finally, Karzai is “the most popular politician in Afghanistan”; over 60% of Aghans polled believe that Karzai is doing a good or excellent job.
