America Appraises Afghanistan

Americans may have finally found something they agree on: the handling of America’s exit from Afghanistan and the treatment of Afghan refugees. 

Looking at recent polling around Afghanistan, FGH’s Research and Insights team found:

  • Nearly three quarters of U.S. voters say they support U.S. help for Afghan civilians to evacuate Afghanistan. But their support for refugees’ relocation to other countries is 18 points higher than support for relocation to the U.S and 22 points higher than support for relocation to their own states.
  • Only a quarter (26%) of U.S. adults think the way the U.S. has handled removing troops from Afghanistan has gone well. 44% say it has gone very badly.
  • 62% of Americans say the war in Afghanistan was not worth fighting, including 57% of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 67% of Democrats. 
  • Of Americans who say the evacuation from Afghanistan has been handled badly, 69% blame Joe Biden and 48% blame the administration’s advisers. U.S. adults place less blame on the Afghan government (37%), Afghan army (35%) and the U.S. military (23%).
  • 63% of U.S. adults believe the United States should offer asylum to Afghan refugees who helped U.S. forces in Afghanistan, including 74% of Democrats, 64% of Independents and 59% of Republicans. 
  • The majority of U.S. voters (62%) believe the Taliban should be banned from social media. Nineteen percent think the Taliban should be allowed but moderated, and 7% say the Taliban should be allowed.