'Significant majority' of Americans doubt Afghan war was worthwhile, survey finds

The departure of US troops from Afghanistan has led to the Taliban regime once again capturing power in Kabul.

At a time when the Taliban regime has firmly established itself in Kabul, a survey conducted the Associated Press (AP) in partnership with the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has found that a "significant majority" of Americans are doubtful if the Afghan war was "worthwhile." The AP-NORC poll commenced on August 12, three days before the Taliban captured Kabul, and concluded on August 16, a day after Afghanistan's capital city was conquered.

Hundreds of people gather near a US Air Force C-17 transport plane at a perimeter at the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 (AP).

Though the survey does not specify its sample size, it claims that roughly two-thirds or around 66 per cent respondents think that the war, which, at nearly 20 years, is America's longest, was "worth fighting." On president Joe Biden, who, in April, issued directions to withdraw the US troops, 47 per cent respondents voiced approval for his management of international affairs, while 52 per cent expressed satisfaction with his national security policies.

Biden, who has come under severe criticism both at home and abroad for the chaos in Afghanistan, has twice defended his decision to recall US troops. He broke his silence on the issue on Monday, delivering his second defence on Wednesday.

The joint survey also found that the scenes emanating from Afghanistan, in particular from the Kabul airport of Afghans desperately trying to leave their country, have left people "conflicted" even if they are opposed to the war. "I don't believe we should have there in the first place. But now, I do feel we probably should stay, after seeing the trouble we've caused," a 23-year-old respondent, who voted for Biden last year, was quoted as saying.

Additionally, about half of the respondents said they are "extremely or very concerned" about threats to the US posed by extremist groups based away from the country. Another one-third say they are "moderately" concerned, while roughly 1 in 10 said they are not concerned.

The Taliban initially ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, when they were defeated by the US-led troops who arrived here following the 9/11 attacks. The group's recent advance towards Kabul, and its subsequent victory, came amid American troops withdrawing from Afghanistan.

(With agency inputs)