Despite the doubts about the post-9/11 wars, veterans proud of their service
Although veterans had mixed feelings about whether the Iraq and Afghanistan wars were worth fighting, 96% of them felt proud of their service.
The World’s Muslims: Religion, Politics and Society
A new survey report looks at attitudes among Muslims in 39 countries on a wide range of topics, from science to sharia, polygamy to popular culture. The survey finds that overwhelming percentages of Muslims in many countries want Islamic law to be the official law of their land, but there is also widespread support for democracy and religious freedom.
Laws Penalizing Blasphemy, Apostasy and Defamation of Religion are Widespread
On Nov. 20, a Pakistani court ordered blasphemy charges dropped against a Christian teenager who had been accused of burning pages from the Quran. A new Pew Forum analysis finds that as of 2011 nearly half the countries and territories in the world have laws against blasphemy, apostasy or defamation.
Majority Support Quick Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Six-in-ten say U.S. troops should be removed from Afghanistan as soon as possible.
Rising Tide of Restrictions on Religion
Between mid-2009 and mid-2010, religious restrictions rose not only in countries that began the year with high or very high restrictions, such as Indonesia and Nigeria, but also in many countries that began with low or moderate restrictions, such as Switzerland and the United States. The report looks at restrictions due to government actions as well as acts of violence and intimidation by private individuals, organizations and social groups.
Have Americans Turned Inward?
At a time when the U.S. is still at war in Afghanistan, when in the eyes of foreigners U.S. stature as the hegemonic power is in question, and when a euro crisis could derail the American economy’s tenuous recovery, voters are turning inward. Nevertheless, when American national security is seen as threatened by Iran or terrorism, voters remain aggressively internationalist.
Record-Low Support for Keeping U.S. Troops in Afghanistan
Just 32% of the public now says that the U.S. should keep troops in Afghanistan until the situation there has stabilized.
Views of Afghan War Turn More Negative
Just 38% of Americans now believe the U.S. military effort in Afghanistan is going very or somewhat well, down from 51% in March.
Shooting Rampage Returns Focus to Afghanistan
The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not publish a news index report this week. However, the data is available.
Deadly Afghanistan Crash Tops Public’s News Interest
Overview News about the crash of a military helicopter in Afghanistan that killed 30 Americans last week refocused public attention on the long-running war there. About a quarter of the public (27%) says they followed news about the troop deaths in Afghanistan – which included members of the elite force that killed Osama bin Laden […]
