Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.

At least 466 soldiers""including 329 Americans""have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 35 per cent of respondents think the threat of terrorism against the U.S. has increased as a result of U.S. military action against Afghanistan.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq was launched in March 2003. At least 2,663 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 19,900 troops have been wounded in action. 48 per cent of respondents think the threat of terrorism against the U.S. has increased as a result of U.S. military action against Iraq.

Yesterday, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "In Afghanistan, president (Hamid) Karzai’s elected government is fighting our common enemies. In showing the courage he’s showing, he’s inspired millions across the region. In Iraq, prime minister (Nouri) al-Maliki’s unity government is fighting al-Qaeda and the enemies of Iraq’s democracy. They’re taking increasing responsibility for the security of their free country."

Polling Data

Right now, is the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan creating more terrorists who are planning to attack the U.S., eliminating terrorists who were planning to attack the U.S., or is the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan not affecting the number of terrorists planning to attack the U.S.?

Creating more terrorists

54%



Eliminating terrorists

15%



Not affecting the number

24%



Not sure

7%

As a result of U.S. military action against Afghanistan, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?

Increased

35%



Decreased

16%



Stayed about the same

46%



Not sure

3%

As a result of the United States’ military action against Iraq, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?

Increased

48%



Decreased

12%



Stayed about the same

39%



Not sure

1%

Source: CBS News

Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,206 American adults, conducted from Aug. 17 to Aug. 21, 2006. Margin of error is 4 per cent.

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