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28 October 2014 - 04:22 AMT

Americans sharply divided about Afghanistan war: poll

Americans are sharply divided as to the value of the nation's intervention in Afghanistan, a new BBC poll suggests.

Fewer than half of respondents said the conflict was worthwhile for the U.S. Two-thirds of participants were sceptical that U.S. involvement left the Afghan government able to defend its own people without assistance.

But Americans seem to be more optimistic than British people about the country's prospects. The UK forces finally withdrew on Sunday, Oct 26. In a similar poll conducted in the UK, only 24% said sending UK troops to Afghanistan has left that nation better off.

The U.S. entered in its longest military conflict 13 years ago in Afghanistan, but today only 28% of respondents say America is safer as a result.

The BBC poll found Republicans were more likely than Democrats to consider U.S. involvement in the Middle Eastern country worthwhile, at 54% to 43%.