More see success in Afghanistan; half still want U.S. troops home as soon as possible

washingtonpost.com
----------------------------------------


Breaking News Alert: More see success in Afghanistan; half still want U.S. troops home as soon as possible

May 3, 2011 3:05:10 PM

----------------------------------------
The number of Americans who see success ahead in Afghanistan has spiked higher as a result of the death of Osama bin Laden, but few see it as the end to the terrorism threat facing the United States, according to a new poll by The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center.

Nearly seven in 10 see the U.S.’s killing of bin Laden as a boost to the long-term security of the country, but barely one in five see it as a big help. Just 5 percent see Osama’s death as meaning the end to the terrorism threat in general; 85 percent see further military actions as necessary.

At the same time, there’s been a large increase in the number seeing success for the U.S. in achieving its goals in Afghanistan. In the new poll, 64 percent expect success, up from 49 percent in a December poll. But this shift — corresponding with the President Obama's improved ratings on handling the situation in Afghanistan — has not led to a public reevaluation of the need for U.S. troops there. Some 48 percent of Americans say U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan “as soon as possible,” virtually the same as the 50 percent who said so a month ago.

http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/LI37JS/9ZX1D7/22WPX3/2S4R5A/YID9D/PJ/h
For more information, visit washingtonpost.com
----------------------------------------
Have an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch? Download any of The Washington Post apps for iOS devices:
http://itunes.com/apps/thewashingtonpost
----------------------------------------
Get breaking news alerts sent to your mobile phone. Sign up by texting NEWS to 98999.