More see success in Afghanistan; half still want U.S. troops home as soon as possible

The number of Americans who see success ahead in Afghanistan has spiked higher as a result of the death of Osama bin Laden, but few see it as the end to the terrorism threat facing the United States, according to a new poll by The Washington Post and the Pew Research Center.

Nearly seven in 10 see the U.S.’s killing of bin Laden as a boost to the long-term security of the country, but barely one in five see it as a big help. Just 5 percent see Osama’s death as meaning the end to the terrorism threat in general; 85 percent see further military actions as necessary.

At the same time, there’s been a large increase in the number seeing success for the U.S. in achieving its goals in Afghanistan. In the new poll, 64 percent expect success, up from 49 percent in a December poll. But this shift — corresponding with the President Obama's improved ratings on handling the situation in Afghanistan — has not led to a public reevaluation of the need for U.S. troops there. Some 48 percent of Americans say U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON POST