From the BBC:
Sixty-four per cent of British people think the war in Afghanistan is unwinnable, a BBC poll suggests...
Newsnight commissioned the poll, conducted by ComRes, to assess what people think about Britain's involvement in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan... 63% of respondents to the Newsnight poll agreed, when asked if they thought that whoever formed the next government after this year's general election should commit to removing Britain's armed forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2010...
When asked whether the war in Afghanistan was unwinnable, older people were gloomier than the young about the prospects of success. Seventy per cent of people aged 55 and over agreed that the war was unwinnable, compared with 58% of those aged 18-24. Otherwise, the response to this question was virtually unchanged since polling last November, suggesting that Operation Moshtarak might not have made an impact on the public.
I'm so used to being in the minority on most issues that it comes as a relief to see that I'm with the majority on this one.
Elevate their cause?
3 hours ago
7 comments:
It depends what we define as winning. If it is an end to AQ and terror attacks, which was one of the reasons we went in, then one has to wonder where the 37% have got their heads - stuck up Gordon's arse?
If it is nation building and to leave a functioning democracy delivering law and order, services like education and health and protection from an overbearing State, then it probably could be won but we don't have the money or will for that as it will take generations. A look at history tells us the path to liberal democracy is bloody and long, given today's weapons and ideologies its bound to be more difficult.
"When asked whether the war in Afghanistan was unwinnable, older people were gloomier than the young about the prospects of success."
That's hardly surprising. They have more experience, and generally, had a better education too...
"If it is nation building and to leave a functioning democracy delivering law and order, services like education and health and protection from an overbearing State, then it probably could be won but we don't have the money..."
We don't seem to have the money to do that HERE, never mind in Afghanistan!
Julia, I meant the global we, but your point still stands.
having just listened to a very depressing report about teenage girls and gang culture on Today, I'm beginning to understand why someone not want our culture imposed on them!
Send PCSOs.
Two birds, one stone.
It can be won with enough numbers. In so far as a thousand flies landing on a strip of flypaper have surely conquered it.
Bring them home. Now.
"suggesting that Operation Moshtarak might not have made an impact on the public."
Shurely they mean on Al-Qaeda? Or are they admitting it was a PR exercise?
Yep, it was always the case with an undermanned, underequipped and ill-directed force.
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