Only 28 percent of adult Americans surveyed in a Washington Post-ABC News national poll believed the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, when considering the costs and benefits. Of the 1,002 adults randomly sampled in the mid-July poll, 42 percent of those identifying themselves as Republicans supported the war efforts as did 22 percent of Democrats, and 26 percent of independents, reported the Washington Post on July 26. Overall support for military operations in Afghanistan dropped 11 percentage points since March, falling below “least popular stretches” during the Iraq war, states the report. However, less than half of respondents (43 percent) supported removing all US forces from Afghanistan over the next year, compared to 53 percent who favored leaving some troops in the country to support training and anti-insurgency operations.
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.