Bipartisan Consensus Emerges: The War in Afghanistan Was Not Justifiable, Reveals AP-NORC Survey

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In a political landscape frequently characterized by partisan divisions, recent polling data suggests a rare point of agreement among Americans: The 20-year war in Afghanistan should not have been waged.

The research, a collaborative effort between the Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts and The Big Big News-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, was published two years following the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, which coincided with the Taliban’s resurgence to power. Initiated as a response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Taliban’s harboring of those responsible, the war concluded in scenes of urgency as both Afghans and Americans scrambled to secure seats on the last available flights departing Kabul.

The disorganized nature of the withdrawal appears to have impacted President Joe Biden’s approval ratings adversely, initiating a decline that has yet to be arrested.

Two-thirds of the American populace deem the conflict unjustifiable, with 65% of Democrats and 63% of Republicans sharing this sentiment. Numerous individuals have expressed skepticism regarding the success of the United States in achieving its specific objectives, such as neutralizing extremist threats or enhancing social conditions for women.

Maliha Chishti, a researcher and lecturer at the Pearson Institute, observed that despite two decades of engagement, significant loss of life, and extensive financial commitments, the prevailing view among Americans is one of cynicism toward Afghanistan’s disposition toward the United States. Chishti argues that this reflects a broad-based frustration and warrants a closer examination of the failings of American interventionist policies in Afghanistan.

Notably, while the aim of eliminating threats from Islamic extremists during the conflict garnered bipartisan support—46% among Democrats and 44% among Republicans—only a quarter in each group believes this objective was successfully met. Similarly, less than half believe that the United States succeeded in bringing the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks to justice.

Concerns extend to social issues as well. Only about one-fifth of respondents believe that the U.S. succeeded in bettering the conditions for women and girls in Afghanistan, despite substantial public sentiment emphasizing the importance of this objective.

Despite the bipartisan agreement on the war’s unjustifiability, Democrats and Republicans diverge on America’s role in international affairs. Fifty-five percent of Republicans advocate for a more insular approach, while only 15% of Democrats concur, illustrating the ongoing shift within the Republican Party toward a less interventionist stance.

When examining the general awareness surrounding Afghanistan-related issues, 68% of adults had some knowledge about the U.S. withdrawal; 59% were aware of the Taliban regaining control in 2021; and 64% knew about the Taliban’s oppressive policies toward women.

Nonetheless, less than a majority were informed about the Taliban’s treatment of Afghan citizens who had cooperated with the United States; only 52% had substantial or some information, while 47% reported little or no awareness. Consequently, many argue that the U.S. bears a moral and national security obligation to assist these individuals, particularly as they face retribution from the Taliban.

The survey, which sampled 1,191 adults between September 21 and 25, 2023, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points and was conducted using NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, aimed at representing the U.S. population.

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More about Afghanistan war survey

• AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research
• Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts
• U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Timeline and Analysis
• President Joe Biden’s Approval Ratings
• Understanding America’s Foreign Policy Divide
• The Status of Women in Afghanistan Post-U.S. Withdrawal
• The Impact of Foreign Wars on Presidential Approval Ratings
• NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel: Methodology