Washington Post/ABC News/BBC/ARD Poll
This Washington Post/ABC News/BBC/ARD poll is based on in-person interviews with a random national sample of 1,691 Afghan adults Oct. 29-Nov. 13, 2010. Interviews were conducted in Dari and Pasto, the country's two principal languages. The results have a margin of sampling error of 3.5 points. Field work by the Afghan Center for Socio-Economic and Opinion Research in Kabul, a subsidiary of D3 Systems Inc. of Vienna, Va.
*= less than 0.5 percent
1. Generally speaking, do you think things in Afghanistan today are going in the right direction, or do you think they are going in the wrong direction?
Right Wrong Mixed (vol.) No opinion
11/13/10 59 28 10 3
12/23/09 70 21 5 3
1/12/09 40 38 14 9
11/7/07 54 24 15 7
10/19/06* 55 22 17 5
10/18/05* 77 6 11 6
*10/06, ABC News/BBC World Service; 10/05, ABC News
2. In your view, what is the biggest problem facing Afghanistan as a whole? And after that, what is the next biggest problem?
----- First ---- --- Second ---- ---- Total ----
'10 '09 '09* '08 '10 '09 '09 '08 '10 '09 '09 '08
Security NET** 37 32 38 35 19 20 19 17 56 50 55 52
Economy NET 28 34 34 35 30 34 37 43 58 63 70 78
Weak government/Corruption NET 14 14 9 8 13 12 12 9 27 25 21 17
Reconstruction problems NET 6 8 7 9 7 8 7 9 13 14 13 16
Foreign influence NET 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 5 4 6 7
Education/Schools/Literacy 6 4 4 4 8 5 2 5 14 9 6 9
Drug trade/Cultivation of poppy 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5
Discord/Lack of unity 1 1 1 * 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1
Other 3 0 * * 2 0 1 * 5 0 1 1
No opinion 2 2 3 1 16 15 16 3 18 17 19 4
*First '09 reference to 12/23/09 followed by 1/12/09. 2008 poll was for The Asia Foundation by ACSOR, 7/2/08.
**For 2010 first and second mention totals, security NET includes security/warlords/attacks/violence (43 percent), Taliban (9%), terrorism (3%) and crime (1%); economy NET includes economy/poverty/jobs (49%) and high prices/joblessness (9%); weak government NET includes corruption (20%) and weak central authority (7%); reconstruction problems NET includes rebuilding (4%), electricity (3%), roads (1%), health care/clinics/hospitals (2%), water (1%) and lack of shelter (1%); foreign influence NET includes western influences/dangers to Islam (3%) and neighboring countries (2%).
3. I would like to ask you about today's conditions in the village/neighborhood where you live. How would you rate the following using very good, somewhat good, somewhat bad or very bad?
11/13/10 - Summary table
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very op.
a. Your living conditions overall 69 10 60 31 23 8 *
b. Security from crime and violence 57 16 41 42 32 11 1
c. Availability of jobs/
Economic opportunities 33 5 28 66 37 30 1
d. Roads, bridges and other
infrastructure 50 12 38 49 30 19 1
e. The availability of clean water 59 19 40 40 22 18 1
f. The supply of electricity 37 18 19 61 20 41 2
g. The availability of food 65 12 53 34 26 8 2
h. The availability of medical care 54 13 41 46 32 14 1
i. The local schools 71 26 45 28 18 10 1
j. The rights of women 52 11 41 46 30 16 2
k. Your freedom of movement - the
ability to go where you wish
safely 58 16 41 42 30 12 *
l. Security from the Taliban and
other armed groups 47 19 28 52 32 20 2
m. Your ability to afford the
price of things you want and
need 44 7 37 56 38 18 *
n. Support for agriculture,
including the availability of
seed, fertilizer and farming
equipment* 34 7 27 64 41 23 2
* Based on those with agriculture in area (80 percent)
Trend:
a. Your living conditions overall
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 69 10 60 31 23 8 *
12/23/09 71 16 55 29 20 9 *
1/12/09 62 10 52 38 27 11 *
11/7/07 70 11 59 28 23 5 1
10/19/06 76 11 65 24 21 3 0
10/18/05 83 15 68 16 13 3 1
b. Security from crime and violence
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 57 16 41 42 32 11 1
12/23/09 55 16 38 43 31 12 2
1/12/09 55 15 40 42 29 13 3
11/7/07 66 16 50 33 24 8 1
10/19/06 69 20 49 30 25 6 0
10/18/05 72 28 45 24 19 5 3
c. Availability of jobs/Economic opportunities
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 33 5 28 66 37 30 1
12/23/09 40 8 33 58 33 25 2
1/12/09 29 4 25 70 37 33 1
11/7/07 26 3 23 73 45 28 1
10/19/06 34 5 28 66 49 17 0
10/18/05 35 5 30 60 41 19 6
d. Roads, bridges and other infrastructure
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 50 12 38 49 30 19 1
12/23/09 51 15 36 48 28 20 1
1/12/09 42 9 34 57 33 24 *
11/7/07 31 4 27 69 36 33 1
10/19/06 31 6 24 69 39 30 0
10/18/05 24 2 21 75 39 37 1
e. The availability of clean water
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 59 19 40 40 22 18 1
12/23/09 64 26 38 35 20 15 1
1/12/09 65 23 42 35 20 15 *
11/7/07 53 17 37 46 28 18 1
10/19/06 54 14 40 46 31 15 0
10/18/05 59 18 40 41 31 10 0
f. The supply of electricity
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 37 18 19 61 20 41 2
12/23/09 38 17 22 59 17 42 3
1/12/09 19 5 14 77 17 60 4
11/7/07 14 4 10 84 23 61 2
10/19/06 21 4 17 78 28 50 0
10/18/05 17 4 14 82 29 52 1
g. The availability of food
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 65 12 53 34 26 8 2
12/23/09 66 14 52 32 22 9 2
1/12/09 63 9 54 35 25 10 2
11/7/07 65 11 54 33 27 6 1
10/19/06 82 17 64 18 14 4 0
10/18/05 78 22 56 20 17 3 2
h. The availability of medical care
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 54 13 41 46 32 14 1
12/23/09 51 14 38 47 33 15 1
1/12/09 51 7 43 49 33 16 *
11/7/07 46 6 40 53 35 18 1
10/19/06 49 9 40 51 39 12 0
10/18/05 44 12 33 55 44 11 1
i. The local schools
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 71 26 45 28 18 10 1
12/23/09 71 28 43 27 18 9 2
1/12/09 77 28 49 22 15 7 1
11/7/07 70 21 49 29 15 14 1
10/19/06 73 18 55 27 23 4 0
10/18/05 80 25 55 19 13 6 0
j. The rights of women
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 52 11 41 46 30 16 2
12/23/09 63 19 44 33 21 12 3
1/12/09 59 15 44 37 23 14 4
11/7/07 60 17 43 38 23 14 3
10/19/06 71 21 50 28 22 6 0
k. Your freedom of movement - the ability to go where you wish safely
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 58 16 41 42 30 12 *
12/23/09 66 23 43 32 21 11 2
1/12/09 61 24 36 39 29 10 1
11/7/07 71 27 44 28 18 10 2
l. Security from the Taliban and other armed groups
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 47 19 28 52 32 20 2
12/23/09 47 16 31 50 30 19 3
1/12/09 48 19 30 49 27 22 2
m. Your ability to afford the price of things you want and need
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 44 7 37 56 38 18 *
12/23/09 49 7 43 48 34 15 3
1/12/09 41 4 37 58 38 20 1
n. Support for agriculture, including the availability of seed, fertilizer and farming
equipment*
------- Good ------ -------- Bad ------ No
NET Very Smwhat NET Smwhat Very opinion
11/13/10 34 7 27 64 41 23 2
12/23/09 45 11 34 50 32 19 5
1/12/09 36 6 31 53 30 23 11
* Based on those with agriculture in area (80 percent)
4. Now, for each of these, would you say it's getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Better Worse Same No opin.
a. Your living conditions
overall 35 26 38 1
b. Security from crime and
violence 31 40 28 1
c. Availability of jobs or
economic opportunities 22 40 38 1
d. Freedom to express
political opinion 29 34 33 5
e. The rights of women 32 32 32 3
f. Roads, bridges and
other infrastructure 40 28 31 2
g. Your freedom of movement -
the ability to go where
you wish safely 32 39 28 1
h. Security from the Taliban
and other armed groups 30 35 33 3
5. What is your expectation for things overall in your life a year from now? Will they be much better, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse, or much worse?
--------Better------- --------Worse-------- No
NET Much Somewhat Same NET Somewhat Much opinion
11/13/10 65 22 43 22 10 8 2 3
12/23/09 71 31 40 19 5 4 1 5
1/12/09 51 14 37 28 12 10 3 8
11/7/07 50 14 36 26 9 7 2 15
10/19/06 54 11 43 23 9 7 2 14
10/18/05 67 23 44 13 1 0 1 19
6. Do you think your children will have a better life than you, worse, or about the same?
Better Worse Same No opinion
11/13/10 56 17 20 8
12/23/09 61 11 19 9
1/12/09 47 14 21 18
11/7/07 51 11 21 17
7. How would you rate the work of:
11/13/10 - Summary table
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
a. The present government 58 15 43 39 26 13 4
b. Hamid Karzai as president 62 23 39 37 27 11 1
c. The provincial government
here 59 13 45 41 29 11 1
d. The police in this area 65 19 46 35 24 10 1
e. Afghan Army forces 66 25 40 32 26 7 2
f. The U.S. in Afghanistan 32 5 27 66 40 27 2
g. NATO/ISAF forces 31 7 24 67 39 28 2
h. Foreign aid organizations 43 11 32 56 38 17 2
i. The U.N. in Afghanistan 55 14 41 43 31 13 2
Trend:
a. The present government
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 58 15 43 39 26 13 4
12/23/09 61 19 41 35 25 10 5
1/12/09 49 10 38 49 30 18 3
11/7/07 59 15 44 39 29 11 1
10/19/06 64 15 48 36 27 9 0
10/18/05 80 27 53 20 14 5 1
b. Hamid Karzai as president of Afghanistan
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 62 23 39 37 27 11 1
12/23/09 71 28 44 28 19 8 1
1/12/09 52 16 36 47 29 18 1
11/7/07 63 26 37 36 28 8 1
10/19/06 68 21 46 32 25 7 0
10/18/05 83 45 38 16 14 2 1
c. The provincial government here
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 59 13 45 41 29 11 1
12/23/09 58 14 44 41 29 12 1
1/12/09 46 10 35 53 36 17 1
11/7/07 51 10 41 45 32 13 3
10/19/06 52 10 42 47 36 11 1
d. The police in this area
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 65 19 46 35 24 10 1
12/23/09 62 19 44 36 26 10 2
1/12/09 57 15 42 42 32 11 1
e. Afghan Army forces
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 66 25 40 32 26 7 2
12/23/09 70 28 41 26 20 6 4
1/12/09 57 18 39 34 26 8 9
f. The United States in Afghanistan
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 32 5 27 66 40 27 2
12/23/09 38 6 32 59 33 25 3
1/12/09 32 5 27 63 36 27 5
11/7/07 42 8 35 52 32 21 5
10/19/06 57 12 45 42 27 15 1
10/18/05 68 20 48 30 22 8 3
g. NATO/ISAF forces
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 31 7 24 67 39 28 2
12/23/09 35 7 28 62 35 27 4
1/12/09 33 6 27 62 36 26 5
h. Foreign aid organizations
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 43 11 32 56 38 17 2
12/23/09 50 14 37 48 31 17 2
1/12/09 45 12 33 51 32 19 4
i. The UN in Afghanistan
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 55 14 41 43 31 13 2
12/23/09 61 21 40 37 28 9 2
8. Here in this district, how much influence do you think Hamid Karzai has as president - a great deal of influence, a good amount, just some or very little?
----Great/Good---- ----Some/Little----
Great Good Just Very None No
NET deal amount NET some little opinion
11/13/10 71 31 40 24 14 10 3 2
9. Who would you rather have ruling Afghanistan today: the current government, or the Taliban?
Current
government Taliban Other (vol.) No opinion
11/13/10 86 9 1 5
12/23/09 90 6 * 3
1/12/09 82 4 10 4
11/7/07 84 4 6 6
10/19/06 88 3 4 5
10/18/05 91 1 2 6
10. Which of the following do you think poses the biggest danger in our country: drug traffickers, local commanders, the United States, the Taliban, the current Afghan government, or something else? (Up to two answers accepted.)
11/13/10 - Summary table
First Second Total
Taliban 64 4 69
Drug traffickers 14 27 41
Local commanders 6 17 23
United States 6 22 28
Current Afghan government 1 4 6
Suicide attacks * 1 1
Neighboring countries 1 2 3
Criminals * 1 1
Corruption in the government * 1 2
Al-Qaeda 1 3 4
Poppy cultivation * * 1
High prices/Lack of jobs * * *
Foreign forces bombardment 1 1 1
Lack of security 1 * 1
Illiteracy * * *
Lack of Jobs * 2 2
Something else 1 4 5
No opinion 2 12 14
Trend (first mention only):
Drug Local Current Afghan Something No
Taliban traffickers commanders US government else op.
11/13/10 64 14 6 6 1 1 2
12/23/09 69 11 6 4 2 1 2
1/12/09 58 13 7 8 1 10 3
11/7/07 52 23 9 10 1 2 2
10/19/06 57 20 9 8 3 0 0
10/18/05 41 28 22 4 2 2 2
11. On another subject, say a government representative asks for money or other payment in exchange for favorable treatment in the performance of his official duties. Do you personally regard this as corruption, do you see it as acceptable behavior, or do you think it depends and may be corrupt in some cases but acceptable in others?
Corrupt Acceptable Depends No opinion
11/13/10 73 8 17 2
12. Has it ever happened to you personally that a representative of (ITEM) has asked for money or other payment in exchange for favorable treatment in the performance of his official duties?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. Afghan National Police 21 78 1
b. Afghan National Army 7 92 1
c. The provincial government 27 72 1
13. (IF YES) The last time this happened, did you regard this as corruption or did you see it as acceptable behavior in this case?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Corruption Acceptable No opinion
a. Afghan National Police 75 22 3
b. Afghan National Army 55 40 5
c. The provincial government 78 17 5
12/13 NET:
11/13/10 - Summary table
---Asked for money/payment---
NET Corruption Acceptable No No opinion
a. Afghan National Police 21 16 5 79 1
b. Afghan National Army 7 4 3 93 *
c. The provincial government 27 21 5 73 1
14. Imagine that you have a complaint about a government official. Do you think filing a complaint with the authorities would make your situation better, make your situation worse, or have no effect?
Better Worse No effect No opinion
11/13/10 30 28 37 5
15. Changing subjects, have any of the following been built, rebuilt, or reopened in the past five years in your area:
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. Schools 62 38 *
b. Health clinics 47 52 1
c. Government offices 30 66 4
d. Mosques 54 44 2
e. Police stations 42 55 3
f. Roads 58 41 1
Trend:
a. Schools
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 62 38 *
12/23/09 69 30 1
1/12/09 72 27 1
11/7/07 65 33 2
b. Health clinics
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 47 52 1
12/23/09 50 49 1
1/12/09 45 54 1
11/7/07 37 60 2
c. Government offices
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 30 66 4
12/23/09 34 62 4
1/12/09 31 65 4
11/7/07 28 67 6
d. Mosques
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 54 44 2
12/23/09 58 41 2
1/12/09 53 44 3
11/7/07 48 48 4
e. Police stations
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 42 55 3
12/23/09 46 50 4
1/12/09 44 51 4
11/7/07 40 55 5
f. Roads
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 58 41 1
12/23/09 56 43 1
1/12/09 47 52 1
11/7/07 35 61 3
16. Have any of the following projects been started in this area in the past five years, but then been stopped for security reasons?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. Schools 20 79 2
b. Health clinics 14 84 2
c. Government offices 12 84 3
d. Mosques 15 82 3
e. Police stations 17 79 4
f. Roads 22 75 3
17. Thinking now about just the last year, have any such projects been started in the past year, or not?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. Schools 40 58 2
b. Health clinics 26 71 3
c. Government offices 19 77 4
d. Mosques 37 59 3
e. Police stations 31 66 4
f. Roads 45 52 3
18. Thinking now about foreign aid money - that is money from foreign sources used for community development and support - as far as you are aware, is foreign aid money being spent (ITEM) in this area, or not?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. On infrastructure projects 51 46 3
b. To provide food, medical assistance
and other necessities 47 49 4
19. (IF YES) Do you feel this foreign aid money is mainly being put to good use, or mainly being wasted?
Good use Wasted No opinion
11/13/10 51 41 9
20. How much of the foreign aid money coming into this country do you think is being misdirected for personal gain by government officials - a great deal of it, a good amount, just some, or hardly any?
-----Great/Good---- ----Some/Little----
Great Good Just Hardly None No
NET deal amount NET some any (vol.) opinion
11/13/10 67 28 39 27 19 8 4 2
21. Overall, how much of a problem is the issue of corruption among government officials or the police in this area - is that a big problem, a moderate problem, a small problem or not a problem?
----Big/Moderate---- ------Small/No problem----- No
NET Big Moderate NET Small Not a problem opinion
11/13/10 85 50 35 14 11 3 1
12/23/09 95 76 19 3 3 * 2
1/12/09 85 63 21 11 8 3 4
11/7/07 72 45 27 22 10 11 6
10/19/06 78 55 23 20 11 9 2
22. Is it your opinion that corruption among government officials or the police has increased over the last year or so, decreased, or has it remained about the same?
Increased Decreased Same No opinion
11/13/10 37 33 29 2
12/23/09 42 30 24 4
1/12/09 50 22 21 7
23. Beyond any corruption occurring in your local area, what is your view of the level of corruption [ITEM] - is that a big problem, a moderate problem, a small problem or not a problem?
11/13/10 - Summary table
----Big/Moderate---- ------Small/No problem----- No
NET Big Moderate NET Small Not a problem opin.
a. Within the government
of this province 93 61 31 7 6 1 1
b. At the national level
within the government
in Kabul 88 65 22 11 9 2 2
Trend:
a. Within the government of this province
----Big/Moderate---- ------Small/No problem----- No
NET Big Moderate NET Small Not a problem opin.
11/13/10 93 61 31 7 6 1 1
12/23/09 90 64 26 8 6 2 2
b. At the national level within the government in Kabul
----Big/Moderate---- ------Small/No problem----- No
NET Big Moderate NET Small Not a problem opin.
11/13/10 88 65 22 11 9 2 2
12/23/09 83 64 19 11 9 2 5
24. From today's perspective, do you think it was very good, mostly good, mostly bad or very bad that U.S. military forces came into our country to bring down the Taliban government in 2001?
------ Good ------- ------- Bad ------- No
NET Very Mostly NET Mostly Very opinion
11/13/10 74 34 40 23 12 12 3
12/23/09 83 41 42 15 9 6 2
1/12/09 69 27 42 24 12 12 7
11/7/07 76 35 40 20 10 10 4
10/19/06 88 45 43 11 7 4 1
10/18/05 87 48 39 9 6 3 4
25. Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the presence of the following groups in Afghanistan today?
11/13/10 - Summary table
------- Support ------- -------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Smwhat NET Smwhat Strongly opinion
a. U.S. military forces 62 16 47 37 23 15 1
b. NATO/ISAF military
forces 54 13 41 45 29 16 1
c. Jihadi fighters from
other countries 17 4 13 82 25 57 1
d. Fighters from the
Taliban 11 3 8 88 21 67 1
e. Foreign aid
organizations 72 26 46 27 16 11 1
Trend:
a. United States military forces
------- Support ------- -------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Smwhat NET Smwhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 62 16 47 37 23 15 1
12/23/09 68 21 47 31 17 14 1
1/12/09 63 12 51 36 21 15 2
11/7/07 71 20 51 27 15 12 2
10/19/06 78 30 48 21 15 6 1
b. NATO/ISAF military forces
------- Support ------- -------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Smwhat NET Smwhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 54 13 41 45 29 16 1
12/23/09 61 18 44 37 21 16 2
1/12/09 59 13 46 40 24 16 2
11/7/07 67 25 42 30 17 13 2
10/19/06 78 30 48 21 15 6 1
c. Jihadi fighters from other countries
------- Support ------- -------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Smwhat NET Smwhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 17 4 13 82 25 57 1
12/23/09 17 3 14 81 27 54 2
1/12/09 11 2 9 86 27 60 3
11/7/07 14 1 13 83 27 56 3
10/19/06 11 1 10 88 27 61 1
d. Fighters from the Taliban
------- Support ------- -------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Smwhat NET Smwhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 11 3 8 88 21 67 1
12/23/09 10 3 7 88 19 70 2
1/12/09 8 2 6 90 20 70 2
11/7/07 5 1 4 92 19 73 3
10/19/06 5 1 3 94 14 81 1
e. Foreign aid organizations
------- Support ------- -------- Oppose ------- No
NET Strongly Smwhat NET Smwhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 72 26 46 27 16 11 1
12/23/09 76 30 45 23 14 9 2
1/12/09 73 30 43 25 14 10 2
26. Who do you blame the most for the violence that is occurring in the country?
11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07
Taliban 33 42 27 36
Al Qaeda/Foreign jihadis 20 24 22 22
U.S./American forces 14 5 12 9
Obama/Bush/U.S. government/America 7 2 6 7
Local commanders/Warlords 7 7 6 6
Drug traffickers 4 6 4 6
Afghan government/Karzai 6 6 12 5
Afghan forces 3 1 3 2
NATO/ISAF forces 3 3 3 3
Neighboring countries 1 1 3 2
Criminals * * * 0
Jobless people * 1 * 0
Other * 1 0 *
No opinion 1 1 1 2
27. Over the past 12 months, would you say the Taliban in Afghanistan have grown stronger, grown weaker, or remained about the same?
Stronger Weaker Same No opinion
11/13/10 31 33 33 3
12/23/09 30 40 25 5
1/12/09 43 24 25 8
11/7/07 42 24 26 8
28. In the terms of each item below, over the past 12 months would you say the performance of U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces has got better, got worse, or remained about the same?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Gotten Gotten About No
better worse the same opinion
a. Providing security in our country 36 32 31 1
b. Avoiding civilian causalities 30 39 30 1
c. Providing reconstruction and
development assistance 32 30 37 2
d. Supporting local authorities 28 28 40 4
e. Training the ANA and local police 53 20 24 4
Trend:
a. Providing security in our country
Gotten Gotten About No
better worse the same opinion
11/13/10 36 32 31 1
12/23/09 35 37 27 1
b. Avoiding civilian causalities
Gotten Gotten About No
better worse the same opinion
11/13/10 30 39 30 1
12/23/09 24 43 31 3
c. Providing reconstruction and development assistance.
Gotten Gotten About No
better worse the same opinion
11/13/10 32 30 37 2
12/23/09 33 28 35 3
d. No trend.
e. No trend.
29. Do you think the government in Kabul should negotiate a settlement with Afghan Taliban in which they are allowed to hold political offices if they agree to stop fighting, or do you think the government in Kabul should continue to fight the Taliban and not negotiate a settlement?
Negotiate Continue fighting/ No
with Taliban Do not negotiate opinion
11/13/10 73 23 4
12/23/09* 65 28 7
1/12/09 64 25 11
11/7/07 60 32 8
*12/09 and prior: "and not negotiate a settlement" was "and not enter into these negotiations."
30. As you may have heard, the Afghan central government has entered into informal negotiations with the Taliban. How willing would you be to accept an agreement between the central government and the Taliban? Very willing, somewhat willing, not so willing, or not willing at all?
-------Willing------- -------Not willing------ Depends No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all (vol.) opinion
11/13/10 65 37 27 33 18 15 2 1
31. What if an agreement to stop the fighting ceded control over certain provinces to the Taliban - would you be very willing, somewhat willing, not so willing, or not willing at all to accept such an agreement?
-------Willing------- -------Not willing------ No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 37 13 24 61 16 45 2
32. Is it your impression that the Taliban have changed and become more moderate, or do you think they remain the same as they were when they ruled Afghanistan before?
More moderate Same No opinion
11/13/10 32 63 5
12/23/09 28 63 9
1/12/09 24 64 12
33. At present there are attacks against U.S. and other military forces in some parts of Afghanistan. Under current circumstances, do you think attacks against U.S. or NATO/ISAF military forces in Afghanistan can be justified or cannot be justified?
Cannot be No
Justified justified opinion
11/13/10 27 64 9
12/23/09 8 76 16
1/12/09 25 64 11
11/7/07* 17 74 8
10/19/06 13 78 9
10/18/05 30 60 10
*2007 and prior: Wording "and other" and "or NATO/ISAF" omitted
34. The Americans have added 30,000 additional U.S. troops to their force in Afghanistan, and other NATO countries have added 7,000 more. Is this increase in U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat, or oppose strongly?
-------- Support -------- --------- Oppose -------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opinion
11/13/10 49 14 35 49 24 25 2
12/23/09* 61 22 39 36 18 18 3
*12/09: "have added' was "are adding"
35. The American president Barack Obama set forth several goals. As I name each of those goals, please tell me if you think the Americans and NATO are or are not making progress toward this goal? Is that a great deal of progress or just some?
11/13/10 - Summary table
----Making progress---- No No
NET Great deal Some progress opinion
a. Training Afghan forces to be able
to take over security in our country
starting next summer 84 30 54 15 2
b. Preventing al Qaeda from establishing
bases of operation in Afghanistan 66 20 46 32 2
c. Preventing the Taliban from retaking
control of the country 63 19 44 34 2
d. Reducing official corruption in
Afghanistan 53 15 38 45 3
e. Strengthening Afghanistan's government
so it can better serve all Afghans 69 22 47 29 2
f. Improving economic development in
our country 64 19 44 35 2
g. Preventing al Qaeda and the Taliban
from maintaining bases of operation
in Pakistan 57 17 40 40 3
Compare to:
The American president Barack Obama has called for a new strategy with several goals. As I name each of those goals, please tell me how confident you are that the Americans and NATO will accomplish it - very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all.
12/23/09 - Summary table
-- Confident -- -- Not confident -- No
NET Very Smwh NET Not so At all op.
a. Training Afghan forces to be able
to take over security in our country
starting a year and a half from now 75 33 42 22 14 9 2
b. Preventing al Qaeda from establishing
bases of operation in Afghanistan 60 23 37 37 24 13 3
c. Preventing the Taliban from retaking
control of the country 61 26 35 36 22 15 3
d. Reducing official corruption in
Afghanistan 55 22 33 41 23 18 3
e. Strengthening Afghanistan's government
so it can better serve all Afghans 67 27 41 30 20 10 3
f. Improving economic development in
our country 62 20 42 35 24 11 4
g. Preventing al Qaeda and the Taliban
from maintaining bases of operation
in Pakistan 51 20 31 43 26 18 6
36. Obama has said he will begin withdrawing U.S. forces next summer. Would it be your preference to have American and NATO/ISAF forces begin to leave Afghanistan next summer, should they leave sooner than next summer, or should they stay longer than that?
Leave next Leave Stay Depends on security No
summer sooner longer situation (vol.) opinion
11/13/10 27 28 17 26 2
12/23/09* 25 22 21 29 3
*12/2009: "next summer" was "18 months from now"
37. Imagine the security situation in our country gets much worse in the next six months. In that case would you want U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces to leave sooner, or to stay longer?
Leave sooner Stay longer No opinion
11/13/10 41 54 5
38. Now imagine the security situation in our country gets much better in the next six months. In that case would you want U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces to leave sooner, or to stay longer?
Leave sooner Stay longer No opinion
11/13/10 59 37 5
39. I'm going to mention some groups. For each, please say how much of a presence it has in this area: A very strong presence, a fairly strong presence, a fairly weak presence or no significant presence at all.
11/13/10 - Summary table
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
a. The central govt led by
Hamid Karzai 75 33 42 24 19 5 1
b. The provincial government 77 31 46 23 20 3 *
c. The local police 79 38 42 20 42 17 1
d. Local commanders and
their militias 33 10 24 66 34 32 1
e. The Taliban 15 4 11 84 30 55 1
f. Drug traffickers 13 3 11 84 32 52 3
g. United States or NATO
or ISAF forces 36 6 30 62 35 28 2
h. Foreign jihadis 16 4 13 81 29 53 3
i. Foreign aid
organizations 45 11 32 54 30 23 2
j. The Afghan National Army 69 26 43 30 18 11 1
Trend:
a. The central government led by Hamid Karzai
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 75 33 42 24 19 5 1
12/23/09 79 41 38 19 15 4 1
1/12/09 67 26 41 32 27 5 1
11/7/07 74 31 43 24 18 6 1
10/19/06 70 23 47 30 25 4 0
b. The provincial government
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 77 31 46 23 20 3 *
12/23/09 75 28 47 23 20 3 1
1/12/09 69 25 44 31 27 4 *
11/7/07 70 26 43 29 24 5 1
10/19/06 72 21 51 28 27 1 0
c. The local police
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 79 38 42 20 42 17 1
12/23/09 74 32 42 24 18 5 3
1/12/09 73 29 44 25 21 4 1
11/7/07 67 28 39 32 26 6 1
10/19/06 78 30 48 22 20 2 0
d. Local commanders and their militias
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 33 10 24 66 34 32 1
12/23/09 29 9 20 68 37 31 3
1/12/09 23 7 16 74 36 39 3
11/7/07 27 5 22 70 40 31 3
10/19/06 28 4 24 71 41 30 2
e. The Taliban
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 15 4 11 84 30 55 1
12/23/09 14 3 11 84 22 62 2
1/12/09 14 3 10 83 21 63 3
11/7/07 10 3 7 86 15 71 4
10/19/06 7 2 6 91 17 74 2
f. Drug traffickers
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 13 3 11 84 32 52 3
12/23/09 13 2 11 82 30 53 4
1/12/09 13 3 11 81 28 54 5
11/7/07 11 2 9 83 21 62 6
10/19/06 12 3 9 83 29 55 5
g. United States or NATO or ISAF forces
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 36 6 30 62 35 28 2
12/23/09 40 7 33 55 29 26 5
1/12/09 34 6 29 63 39 24 2
11/7/07 50 11 39 47 26 22 3
10/19/06 57 14 44 40 22 17 3
h. Foreign jihadis
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 16 4 13 81 29 53 3
12/23/09 19 4 14 76 26 50 6
1/12/09 14 2 12 79 22 57 8
11/7/07 13 3 11 79 22 56 8
i. Foreign aid organizations
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 45 11 32 54 30 23 2
12/23/09 48 11 37 49 28 21 3
1/12/09 41 9 32 56 36 20 3
j. The Afghan National Army
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 69 26 43 30 18 11 1
12/23/09 71 32 39 27 15 12 2
40. Now, for each group I mention, please tell me how confident are you in its ability to provide security and stability in your area - very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident or not confident at all?
11/13/10 - Summary table
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
a. The central government
led by Hamid Karzai 81 38 43 19 14 5 *
b. The provincial
government 79 32 47 21 16 5 *
c. The local police 77 34 43 22 15 7 1
d. Local commanders and
their militias 27 7 20 72 32 41 1
e. The Taliban 9 3 6 90 18 72 1
f. United States or
NATO or ISAF forces 36 5 31 64 33 31 1
g. Foreign jihadis 15 4 11 84 24 60 1
h. The Afghan National
Army 82 42 41 17 12 6 *
Trend:
a. The central government led by Hamid Karzai
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 81 38 43 19 14 5 *
12/23/09 83 46 37 16 11 5 1
1/12/09 75 28 47 25 19 6 1
11/7/07 82 35 47 17 12 5 1
10/19/06 80 32 47 20 16 4 0
b. The provincial government
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 79 32 47 21 16 5 *
12/23/09 76 31 45 23 16 7 1
1/12/09 69 24 45 30 24 6 1
11/7/07 75 28 46 25 18 7 1
10/19/06 75 24 52 25 21 3 0
c. The local police
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 77 34 43 22 15 7 1
12/23/09 75 34 42 23 15 7 2
1/12/09 75 28 47 24 17 7 1
11/7/07 67 25 42 33 24 9 1
10/19/06 79 29 50 21 17 4 0
d. Local commanders and their militias
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 27 7 20 72 32 41 1
12/23/09 30 9 20 68 30 38 3
1/12/09 18 5 13 79 27 52 3
11/7/07 26 5 21 72 31 41 2
10/19/06 19 3 17 80 32 47 1
e. The Taliban
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 9 3 6 90 18 72 1
12/23/09 11 4 7 87 11 76 2
1/12/09 7 2 5 90 10 79 3
11/7/07 8 1 7 89 12 77 3
10/19/06 6 2 4 93 9 84 2
f. United States or NATO or ISAF forces
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 36 5 31 64 33 31 1
12/23/09 48 7 40 49 25 24 3
1/12/09 42 6 35 55 27 29 3
11/7/07 52 11 40 46 23 22 3
10/19/06 67 18 49 31 17 14 3
g. Foreign jihadis
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 15 4 11 84 24 60 1
12/23/09 18 4 14 78 21 56 4
1/12/09 13 1 11 84 17 67 3
11/7/07 12 2 10 84 21 63 4
h. The Afghan National Army
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 82 42 41 17 12 6 *
12/23/09 83 43 40 15 10 6 2
41. For each of these groups, what would you say is its level of support among the people in this area - very strong support, fairly strong support, fairly weak support or no significant support at all?
11/13/10 - Summary table
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
a. The central govt led by
Hamid Karzai 78 36 42 22 16 5 1
b. The provincial government 76 30 47 23 18 5 1
c. The local police 76 32 44 22 17 5 2
d. Local commanders and
their militias 24 7 17 74 35 39 2
e. The Taliban 11 3 8 87 23 65 2
f. Drug traffickers 10 2 8 88 23 65 3
g. United States or
NATO or ISAF forces 35 6 29 63 38 25 2
h. Foreign jihadis 16 4 12 81 26 55 3
i. The Afghan National Army 81 39 42 17 13 5 1
Trend:
a. The central government led by Hamid Karzai
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 78 36 42 22 16 5 1
12/23/09 80 40 40 19 14 5 *
1/12/09 65 27 38 34 26 8 1
11/7/07 81 35 45 18 14 5 1
10/19/06 78 28 50 21 19 2 1
b. The provincial government
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 76 30 47 23 18 5 1
12/23/09 73 26 47 26 19 8 *
1/12/09 63 22 42 36 26 9 1
11/7/07 72 27 45 27 20 6 1
10/19/06 74 22 51 26 22 3 1
c. The local police
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 76 32 44 22 17 5 2
12/23/09 70 28 43 28 20 8 2
1/12/09 66 23 43 32 23 8 2
11/7/07 64 24 40 35 25 10 1
10/19/06 74 26 49 25 21 3 1
d. Local commanders and their militias
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 24 7 17 74 35 39 2
12/23/09 25 7 18 73 31 42 2
1/12/09 17 4 13 78 29 49 5
11/7/07 24 4 20 73 34 39 3
10/19/06 20 4 16 79 36 43 1
e. The Taliban
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 11 3 8 87 23 65 2
12/23/09 12 4 8 85 14 71 3
1/12/09 9 3 6 85 13 72 6
11/7/07 8 2 5 88 13 75 4
10/19/06 6 2 4 92 13 79 2
f. Drug traffickers
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 10 2 8 88 23 65 3
12/23/09 9 2 7 86 22 65 5
1/12/09 7 1 6 85 17 68 8
11/7/07 7 2 6 87 15 71 6
10/19/06 7 1 6 90 19 70 3
g. United States or NATO or ISAF forces
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 35 6 29 63 38 25 2
12/23/09 40 7 33 57 33 24 3
1/12/09 37 5 32 58 32 26 5
11/7/07 52 11 42 44 22 22 3
10/19/06 67 18 49 32 18 13 1
h. Foreign jihadis
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 16 4 12 81 26 55 3
12/23/09 17 4 12 78 25 53 5
1/12/09 14 2 12 78 18 61 8
11/7/07 15 3 12 78 20 58 7
i. The Afghan National Army
------ Strong ----- --- Weak/None --- No
NET Very Fairly NET Weak None opinion
11/13/10 81 39 42 17 13 5 1
12/23/09 82 42 40 16 10 6 2
42. To the extent that support for the Taliban exists anywhere in Afghanistan, do you have any sense of why people might support them? For each item I name, please tell me if you think it may or may not be a reason for others to support the Taliban. IF YES: Do you think that could be a strong reason, or not a strong one?
11/13/10 - Summary table
---Reason for support---- Not a No
NET Strong Not strong reason opin.
a. For religious reasons 77 35 41 21 3
b. Because they agree with its goals 57 18 39 41 2
c. Because they are threatened or forced 68 26 42 29 2
d. Because the Taliban are better at
delivering services 39 12 28 58 3
e. Because the Taliban are opposing
the foreign forces 68 30 38 30 2
f. Because there is too much corruption
in the government 71 30 41 27 2
43. Are you aware of any of the following activities by the Taliban in this area?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. The delivery of night letters 24 74 2
b. Bombings 30 68 2
c. Killing individuals 35 62 2
d. Burning schools/government buildings 27 72 2
e. Fighting government or foreign troops 40 59 1
f. People giving food/money to Taliban 24 74 3
Trend:
a. The delivery of night letters
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 24 74 2
1/12/09 21 74 5
11/7/07 26 71 3
10/19/06 24 74 2
b. Bombings
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 30 68 2
1/12/09 26 69 4
11/7/07 33 65 2
10/19/06 43 55 2
c. Killing individuals
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 35 62 2
1/12/09 32 64 4
11/7/07 34 63 2
10/19/06 42 56 2
d. Burning schools/government buildings
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 27 72 2
1/12/09 27 69 4
11/7/07 33 64 2
10/19/06 45 53 2
e. Fighting government or foreign troops
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 40 59 1
1/12/09 33 63 5
11/7/07 42 54 3
10/19/06 45 53 2
f. People giving food/money to Taliban
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 24 74 3
1/12/09 17 75 8
11/7/07 14 80 6
10/19/06 17 80 3
44. For each item I read, please tell me if it has or has not occurred in this area? (IF HAS OCCURRED) Has it happened in the past year, or longer ago than that?
11/13/10 - Summary table
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
a. Car bombs, suicide attacks 40 28 12 59 1
b. Snipers, crossfire 42 24 19 55 3
c. Kidnappings for ransom 39 22 18 58 3
d. Bombing or shelling by U.S.,
NATO or ISAF forces 32 19 13 64 4
e. Civilians killed or seriously
hurt by U.S., NATO or ISAF forces 36 20 16 61 2
f. Civilians killed or seriously
hurt by the Afghan army or police 29 15 14 69 3
g. Civilians killed or seriously
hurt by the Taliban, Al Qaeda or
foreign jihadis 44 25 20 53 3
Trend:
a. Car bombs, suicide attacks
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 40 28 12 59 1
12/23/09 33 24 9 66 1
1/12/09 39 26 13 59 2
11/7/07 37 27 10 61 3
b. Snipers, crossfire
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 42 24 19 55 3
12/23/09 39 23 16 60 1
1/12/09 35 19 16 62 3
11/7/07 33 20 13 64 3
c. Kidnappings for ransom
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 39 22 18 58 3
12/23/09 41 29 13 56 2
1/12/09 45 31 14 52 3
11/7/07 37 25 12 60 3
d. Bombing or shelling by U.S., NATO or ISAF forces
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 32 19 13 64 4
12/23/09 30 16 15 68 2
1/12/09 27 16 11 65 8
11/7/07 29 17 12 67 4
e. Civilians killed or seriously hurt by U.S., NATO or ISAF forces
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 36 20 16 61 2
12/23/09 35 21 14 63 2
1/12/09 34 21 13 62 4
11/7/07 34 24 10 63 4
f. Civilians killed or seriously hurt by the Afghan army or police
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 29 15 14 69 3
12/23/09 25 15 11 73 2
1/12/09 24 13 11 70 6
11/7/07 23 16 7 73 4
g. Civilians killed or seriously hurt by the Taliban, Al Qaeda or foreign jihadis
---- Has occurred nearby --- Has No
NET Within 1 year Longer not opinion
11/13/10 44 25 20 53 3
12/23/09 43 25 18 55 2
1/12/09 42 24 19 53 5
11/7/07 40 27 13 54 5
45. Do you think the use of air strikes by the U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces is acceptable because it helps defeat the Taliban and other anti-government fighters, or unacceptable because it endangers too many innocent civilians?
Acceptable Unacceptable No opinion
11/13/10 22 73 5
12/23/09 27 66 7
1/12/09 16 77 8
46. When civilians are harmed in U.S. and NATO/ISAF air strikes, who do you mainly blame: U.S. and NATO/ISAF forces for mistaken targeting, anti-government forces for being among civilians, or both sides equally?
U.S and NATO/ISAF forces Anti-government forces Both No opinion
11/13/10 35 32 32 1
12/23/09 36 35 26 3
1/12/09 41 28 27 4
47. Do you think the government of Pakistan is allowing the Taliban to operate within its borders, or trying to stop the Taliban from operating there?
Allowing Taliban Trying to stop No
to operate from operating opinion
11/13/10 60 33 7
12/23/09 53 37 10
1/12/09 67 24 9
11/7/07 69 19 11
48. What is your opinion of the cultivation of poppies for opium? Do you see this as acceptable in all cases, only acceptable if there is no other way to earn a living, or unacceptable in all cases?
Acceptable in Only acceptable if no Unacceptable No
all cases other way to earn living in all cases opinion
11/13/10 9 27 63 2
12/23/09 7 24 65 4
1/12/09 4 28 63 4
11/7/07 8 28 62 3
10/19/06 5 35 58 2
10/18/05 5 21 73 1
49. Now I'm going to ask what you think about some people and groups. Is your opinion of [INSERT] very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable?
11/13/10 - Summary table
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
a. The Taliban 11 3 7 89 21 68 1
b. Osama Bin Laden 6 2 4 93 20 73 1
c. The United States 43 6 36 56 28 29 1
d. Pakistan 18 2 15 82 32 50 1
e. United Kingdom 39 3 36 56 28 29 5
f. Iran 58 16 42 41 21 20 1
g. Germany 56 12 43 41 23 18 3
h. India 72 25 47 25 14 11 3
i. Hamid Karzai 82 50 32 17 11 7 *
j. Al Qaeda and other
foreign jihadis 12 3 9 86 23 63 2
Trend:
a. The Taliban
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 11 3 7 89 21 68 1
12/23/09 10 3 7 89 13 75 1
1/12/09 7 3 4 91 12 79 2
11/7/07 13 3 10 84 15 69 4
10/19/06 10 2 8 89 13 76 1
10/18/05 8 3 6 89 15 74 2
b. Osama Bin Laden
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 6 2 4 93 20 73 1
12/23/09 6 2 4 91 13 77 3
1/12/09 6 2 4 92 10 82 3
11/7/07 9 2 7 87 11 76 4
10/19/06 5 2 4 90 7 84 4
10/18/05 5 2 3 90 6 85 5
c. The United States
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 43 6 36 56 28 28 1
12/23/09 51 8 43 46 21 25 3
1/12/09 47 7 40 52 25 27 1
11/7/07 65 17 48 32 11 21 3
10/19/06 74 23 51 25 11 14 1
10/18/05 83 24 59 14 8 6 3
d. Pakistan
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 18 2 15 82 32 50 1
12/23/09 16 2 13 81 32 49 3
1/12/09 8 1 7 91 26 65 1
11/7/07 19 2 17 80 16 63 1
e. The United Kingdom
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 39 3 36 56 28 29 5
12/23/09* 39 7 32 53 28 24 9
1/12/09 39 6 32 54 26 28 7
11/7/07 49 10 39 45 18 27 6
*2009 and prior: Great Britain
f. Iran
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 58 16 42 41 21 20 1
12/23/09 50 18 32 45 25 20 6
1/12/09 57 19 38 40 22 19 3
11/7/07 52 14 38 45 20 25 3
g. Germany
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 56 12 43 41 23 18 3
12/23/09 58 17 42 34 21 14 8
1/12/09 61 17 43 31 17 14 8
11/7/07 70 22 48 24 11 13 6
h. India
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 72 25 47 25 14 11 3
12/23/09 71 29 42 22 14 7 7
1/12/09 74 27 47 21 13 8 5
i. Hamid Karzai
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 82 50 32 17 11 7 *
12/23/09 82 55 28 13 8 5 5
j. Al Qaeda and other foreign jihadis
----- Favorable ----- ---- Unfavorable ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 12 3 9 86 23 63 2
12/23/09 8 3 5 86 19 67 7
50. Overall, please say if you think each of these countries is playing a positive, neutral, or negative role in Afghanistan now?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
a. Iran 28 32 38 1
b. Pakistan 8 16 76 1
c. India 32 51 15 2
d. The United States 36 20 43 2
e. The United Kingdom 21 32 43 4
f. Germany 25 43 28 4
Trend:
a. Iran
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
11/13/10 28 32 38 1
12/23/09 27 29 39 5
b. Pakistan
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
11/13/10 8 16 76 1
12/23/09 9 13 73 5
1/12/09 5 6 86 3
c. India
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
11/13/10 32 51 15 2
12/23/09 36 44 13 6
1/12/09 41 42 10 6
d. The United States
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
11/13/10 36 20 43 2
12/23/09 45 18 31 6
1/12/09 44 17 36 3
e. The United Kingdom
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
11/13/10 21 32 43 4
12/23/09 28 31 31 10
1/12/09 24 28 38 11
f. Germany
Positive Neutral Negative No opinion
11/13/10 25 43 28 4
12/23/09 32 39 19 9
1/12/09 36 33 19 11
51. Which of these do you think is best able to create and enforce a system of rules and laws that reflects what most people in Afghanistan want - the central government in Kabul working through the provincial governments, or the tribal elders of your clan in this area?
Central government Tribal elders No opinion
11/13/10 52 46 2
52. Would you say a system of rules and laws that reflects what most people in Afghanistan want exists in this area at this time, or not?
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 40 51 9
53. (IF NO) Is there movement toward such a system, or no such movement?
Movement No movement No opinion
11/13/10 17 75 8
52/53 NET
System --System does not yet exist- No
exists NET Movement No movement opinion
11/13/10 40 50 9 38 9
54. There can be differences between the ways government is set up in a country, called the political system. From the three options I am going to read to you, which one do you think is best for Afghanistan at this time - strong leader, where one man rules for life and has final say in all political matters; Islamic state, where religious authorities have final say in all political matters; or Democracy, where the people can vote in elections to choose political leaders who then direct political matters?
Strong leader Islamic state Democracy No opinion
11/13/10 23 39 37 1
12/23/09 23 43 32 3
55. Regardless of which type of government you prefer, to what extent do you think the government should follow Islamic principles - very strictly, somewhat strictly, not so strictly or not strictly at all?
------Strictly------- -------Not strictly------ No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 73 37 36 27 19 8 1
56. Regardless of the type of system of government you prefer, how confident are you that a system of freely voting for leaders can work successfully in Afghanistan? Are you very confident, somewhat confident, not so confident, or not confident at all?
----- Confident ----- ----- Not confident ----- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Not so Not at all opinion
11/13/10 77 27 50 23 15 8 1
12/23/09 82 30 52 15 10 5 3
57. Do you think the recent parliamentary elections were mostly fair or mostly fraudulent?
Mostly fair Mostly fraudulent No opinion
11/13/10 42 56 2
58. What is your reaction to the final outcome of the recent parliamentary election? Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat unsatisfied, or very unsatisfied?
----- Satisfied ----- ---- Unsatisfied ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
11/13/10 58 23 36 41 23 17 1
Compare to:
What is your reaction to the final outcome of last summer's presidential election? Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat unsatisfied, or very unsatisfied?
----- Satisfied ----- ---- Unsatisfied ---- No
NET Very Somewhat NET Somewhat Very opinion
12/23/09 75 37 38 23 13 9 2
59. Now I'd like to ask you some questions about women in Afghanistan. Please tell me if each of the following is something you support strongly, support somewhat, oppose somewhat or oppose strongly?
11/13/10 - Summary table
---------Support--------- ---------Oppose---------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
a. Women voting 87 56 30 13 9 5 *
b. Women holding jobs
outside the home 69 40 28 31 20 11 *
c. Women holding
government office 64 32 32 35 22 13 1
d. Girls education 87 59 28 12 9 4 1
e. Women going outside
the home but within
this village/neigh-
borhood without
being accompanied
by a male relative 50 21 29 50 29 21 *
f. Women traveling
outside this
village/neighbor-
hood without being
accompanied by a
male relative 38 15 23 61 30 31 1
Trend:
a. Women voting
---------Support--------- ---------Oppose---------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
11/13/10 87 56 30 13 9 5 *
12/23/09 88 61 27 12 9 3 1
1/12/09 91 67 24 9 4 4 *
11/7/07 86 59 27 13 8 5 1
10/18/05 89 66 23 10 6 5 0
b. Women holding jobs outside the home
---------Support--------- ---------Oppose---------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
11/13/10 69 40 28 31 20 11 *
12/23/09 74 41 33 26 18 8 1
1/12/09 77 46 30 23 14 9 *
11/7/07 68 38 29 32 20 11 1
10/18/05 74 42 31 26 15 11 0
c. Women holding government office
---------Support--------- ---------Oppose---------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
11/13/10 64 32 32 35 22 13 1
12/23/09 68 38 31 30 20 10 1
1/12/09 69 38 31 30 18 12 1
11/7/07 60 31 29 39 26 14 1
10/18/05 65 38 27 34 18 16 1
d. Girls education
---------Support--------- ---------Oppose---------- No
NET Strongly Somewhat NET Somewhat Strongly opin.
11/13/10 87 59 28 12 9 4 1
12/23/09 88 66 22 11 8 4 1
1/12/09 92 68 24 8 5 2 1
11/7/07 89 60 29 11 7 4 *
10/18/05 93 72 20 7 5 2 0
e-f. No trend.
60. Is there currently a (ITEM) operating in this area? By that, I mean open and accessible to the children living here?
11/13/10 - Summary table
Yes No No opinion
a. boys' school 86 14 *
b. girls' school 67 33 *
61. (IF NO GIRL'S SCHOOL) Which of these better describes the situation: There never has been a girls' school here, or there was a girls' school but it has closed?
Never Closed No opinion
11/13/10 67 30 3
60b/61 NET
--No girls' school-- No
Yes NET Never Closed opinion
11/13/10 67 32 22 10 1
62. (ASK IF GIRLS' SCHOOL CLOSED) Why was it closed- what's the main reason this happened?
11/13/10
Damaged or destroyed 10
Threats/intimidation 54
Not enough families willing or able to send girls 8
No teachers 13
No supplies 1
Not enough girls in community 2
63. (IF NO GIRL'S SCHOOL BECAUSE OF DAMAGE, THREATS, UNWILLING FAMILIES, NO TEACHERS OR NO SUPPLIES) And who do you think is responsible for this as far as you are aware?
Government Taliban Western forces Local commanders No one No opin.
11/13/10 21 62 5 4 5 4
64. Thinking about the question of women wearing burkas, which statement is closest to your own opinion: A woman's father or husband should decide if she should wear a burka; or, a woman should decide herself if she should wear a burka or not.
Father or husband Woman should No
should decide decide opinion
11/13/10 54 44 2
12/23/09 50 47 3
65. For statistical purposes only, we need to know your average monthly household income. Will you please tell me which of the following categories best represents your average total family monthly income? (in Afghanis)
under 2K 2-3K 3-5K 5-10K 10-15K 15-20K 20-25K 25K+ No opinion
11/13/10 11 16 30 22 13 4 3 1 2
12/23/09 16 18 23 27 9 4 1 1 1
1/12/09 13 17 24 27 12 4 2 1 2
11/7/07 9 26 26 25 8 3 1 * 2
Compare to: U.S. dollars - not inflation-adjusted
Up to $40- $60- $101- $201- $302- $402- No
$40 60 100 201 301 402 502 $502+ opinion
11/13/10 11 16 30 22 13 4 3 1 2
12/23/09 16 18 23 27 9 4 1 1 1
1/12/09 13 17 24 27 12 4 2 1 2
11/7/07 9 26 26 25 8 3 1 * 2
66. Do you have electric power here in your household? (IF YES) From your own generator, from a shared generator, or from the power lines?
------------ Yes, have electricity -------------
Own Shared
NET generator generator Power lines Both No No opinion
11/13/10 56 14 14 27 1 44 *
12/23/09 55 13 15 26 2 44 1
1/12/09 45 13 17 13 2 55 *
11/7/07 40 13 7 17 3 58 2
10/19/06 59 25 9 19 6 41 0
67. (IF GET ELECRICITY FROM POWER LINES) Roughly how many hours a day (out of 24) do you have electricity from the power lines?
1-6 7-12 13-23 All day No opinion
11/13/10 6 13 20 59 2
12/23/09 15 18 18 46 3
1/12/09 59 21 7 11 2
11/7/07 46 18 14 19 2
10/19/06 39 28 21 11 0
10/18/05 38 40 4 12 6
68. Thinking about the price of food these days - would you say that you can afford to buy all the food you need, you can afford to buy some food but not all you need, you can afford to buy very little food, or that you cannot afford to buy any food at all and rely entirely on what you can raise yourself or receive from food assistance?
--- All/Some --- --- Very little/None --- No
NET All Some NET Very little None opinion
11/13/10 39 11 28 61 42 19 *
12/23/09 39 8 31 60 41 20 *
1/12/09 37 8 29 63 46 16 1
11/7/07 46 10 36 54 42 12 1
69. Now thinking about the price of fuel for cooking or generators - would you say that you can afford all the fuel you need, you can afford some fuel but not for everything you need, you can afford very little fuel, or you cannot afford any fuel at all and rely entirely on what you can gather yourselves or donated fuel assistance?
--- All/Some --- --- Very little/None --- No
NET All Some NET Very little None opinion
11/13/10 31 7 25 69 42 27 *
12/23/09 32 7 25 67 41 26 1
1/12/09 31 4 26 68 45 24 1
11/7/07 33 6 27 65 44 21 1
70. Do you or does anyone in your household living at this address own a:
a. TV
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 46 54 *
12/23/09 47 51 1
1/12/09 38 62 *
11/7/07 36 64 *
10/19/06 45 54 0
10/18/05 43 57 0
b. Satellite dish
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 13 87 *
12/23/09 9 89 2
1/12/09 8 91 1
11/7/07 7 93 *
10/19/06 10 90 0
10/18/05 9 90 2
c. Telephone (land line)
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 3 97 *
12/23/09 4 94 2
1/12/09 1 99 1
11/7/07 4 96 *
10/19/06 1 98 0
10/18/05 1 98 1
d. Mobile phone
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 59 40 1
12/23/09 60 38 2
1/12/09 55 45 *
11/7/07 43 57 *
10/19/06 38 61 0
10/18/05 31 69 0
e. Radio
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 79 21 *
12/23/09 82 17 1
1/12/09 86 14 *
11/7/07 91 9 *
10/19/06 92 8 0
10/18/05 95 5 0
f. Refrigerator
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 17 82 1
12/23/09 13 85 2
1/12/09 11 88 1
11/7/07 12 87 *
10/19/06 16 84 0
10/18/05 11 88 0
g. Bicycle
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 50 50 *
12/23/09 51 47 2
1/12/09 50 49 1
11/7/07 60 39 *
10/19/06 57 43 0
10/18/05 63 37 0
h. Motorbike
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 34 65 1
12/23/09 29 69 2
1/12/09 25 74 1
11/7/07 27 73 *
10/19/06 27 72 0
10/18/05 26 74 0
i. Work animal
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 44 56 *
12/23/09 44 55 2
1/12/09 49 50 1
11/7/07 42 57 *
10/19/06 43 56 0
10/18/05 47 53 0
j. Car
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 13 87 1
12/23/09 15 84 1
1/12/09 12 88 1
11/7/07 13 87 *
10/19/06 13 87 0
10/18/05 12 88 0
k. Computer
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 7 93 1
l. Access to the internet via mobile phone or computer
Yes No No opinion
11/13/10 1 98 1
71. How would you rate Afghanistan's economy now: excellent, good, fair, or poor?
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 41 7 35 57 30 27 2
12/23/09 45 9 36 52 28 25 2
1/12/09 33 5 28 64 26 39 3
11/7/07 39 6 32 59 34 25 3
10/19/06 31 4 27 67 35 32 2
10/18/05 41 8 33 57 38 19 3
72. How would you describe your household's financial situation: excellent, good, fair, or poor?
----Excellent/Good---- ----Fair/Poor---- No
NET Excellent Good NET Fair Poor opinion
11/13/10 41 5 36 58 36 21 1
12/23/09 39 3 35 57 40 18 4
1/12/09 32 2 30 67 42 25 1
11/7/07 38 6 32 61 44 17 1
10/19/06 37 4 33 62 45 17 0
10/18/05 34 5 30 64 50 14 2
73. For each item I name, please tell me if you would say your personal opportunities in this area are excellent, good, not so good, or poor?
11/13/10 - Summary table
----Good Prospects---- ---Bad Prospects--- Have
Not so achieved No
NET Excellent Good NET good Poor (vol.) op.
a. Marriage 51 9 43 32 22 9 1 16
b. Having a good
education 50 10 40 46 28 18 3 2
c. Supporting a family 59 11 48 35 25 10 3 3
d. Financial stability 50 9 41 45 31 14 2 3
e. Living in peace
and security 61 21 40 37 26 11 1 2
74. Demographics: Sex: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 Men 51 51 51 50 50 50 Women 49 49 49 50 50 50 Age: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 18-24 25 28 30 30 29 29 25-34 29 27 26 28 26 25 35-49 31 32 29 31 30 32 50+ 15 13 15 12 15 14 Marital status: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 Married 79 78 74 73 72 74 Unmarried (NET) 21 22 25 27 27 26 Widowed 3 5 3 5 5 4 Divorced * * * * 0 0 Never married 18 18 22 22 22 22 No opinion 0 0 * 0 0 Education: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 None 56 56 59 55 47 49 Primary (incomplete) 13 11 9 11 11 13 Primary (complete) 8 9 9 10 14 9 Junior high school 9 10 10 10 10 11 Senior high school 13 12 11 11 14 14 University/Academy 2 2 2 2 3 4 No opinion * 0 * 0 0 0 Employment status: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 Employed 43 45 39 43 43 43 Unemployed 6 5 6 7 7 7 Housewife (women) 43 44 44 43 39 36 Retired 1 0 1 1 2 2 Student 7 6 8 6 10 11 Other * * * * 0 0 No opinion * 1 1 * 0 1 Occupation: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 Farmer (own land/ tenant farmer) 35 29 25 29 20 24 Farm laborer(other's land) 11 11 12 9 7 7 Laborer, domestic, or unskilled worker 7 8 7 7 8 9 Informal sales/Business 5 7 6 9 7 8 Skilled worker/Artisan 18 16 20 18 23 20 Office/clerical worker 2 2 3 4 5 3 Professional or technical 3 3 5 4 3 8 Small business owner 7 6 8 6 8 4 Executive or managerial 6 9 8 5 14 8 Military/Police 4 4 3 4 5 5 Other 1 3 2 5 0 4 No opinion 3 1 2 1 0 0 Religion: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 Muslim (NET) 100 100 98 100 99 100 Sunni Muslim 87 87 86 93 87 85 Shia Muslim 13 12 12 7 12 15 Ismaeli * 0 2 0 1 0 Hindu 0 * 0 * 0 0 Buddhist 0 0 * 0 0 * None/Atheist 0 0 0 0 0 0 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 No opinion 0 0 * * 0 0 Ethnicity: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05 Pashtun 35 39 40 38 42 40 Tajik 38 35 37 38 37 37 Hazara 12 10 11 6 12 13 Uzbek 7 8 7 6 5 6 Turkmen 2 2 2 2 3 1 Noristani * 1 1 4 0 0 Baloch 1 1 1 3 0 0 Kirghiz * * 0 0 0 0 Aimak 1 2 * 0 0 0 Arab 1 1 2 0 0 0 Other 0 * 0 1 1 3 No opinion 1 1 * 2 * *
Identification: Do you think of yourself as an Afghan first, or a (RESPONDENT'S ETHNIC GROUP) first?
11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09
Afghan first 77 67 72
Own ethnicity first (NET) 23 32 26
Pashtun 10 13 10
Tajik 7 8 10
Hazara 5 6 2
Uzbek * 4 2
Turkmen 1 1 *
Noristani * 0 *
Baloch * * *
Aimak 0 * *
Kirghiz 0 0 *
Arab * 0 1
Other (vol.) 0 1 1
No opinion * * 2
Languages (can read):
11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05
Dari 40 42 40 39 48 46
Pashto 39 31 29 34 37 38
English 7 5 7 7 10 8
Arabic 1 2 2 3 5 3
Urdu 2 2 2 2 5 2
Uzbeki 3 4 2 2 2 3
Russian * * 0 * 1 1
Turki 1 1 * * 0 1
Hindi * * * * 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0 0
None 46 37 48 46 41 42
No opinion 0 5 6 1 1 2
Language (of interview):
11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05
Dari 68 68 70 66 71 68
Pashto 28 29 30 32 29 32
Region: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05
Central/Kabul 19 19 19 20 21 21
Eastern 10 10 10 11 10 10
South Central 15 14 15 13 13 13
South Western 9 9 9 11 10 10
Western 12 11 11 11 12 10
Northern 29 29 29 27 29 29
Central/Hazarjat 8 7 7 7 6 8
Locale: 11/13/10 12/23/09 1/12/09 11/7/07 10/19/06 10/18/05
Villages 76 77 76 76 78 78
Towns 5 3 3 1 1 1
City 6 8 8 10 8 8
Metros (Kabul) 12 12 12 13 13 13
***END***
