1 in 3 Veterans say Iraq, Afghan wars were not worth it. Many say they fueled more terrorism

[Better Believe It]

One-in-three vets say Iraq, Afghan wars were not worth it
Pew report examines attitudes on conflicts, terrorism and burdens and rewards of military
MSNBC.Com staff and news service reports
October 5, 2011

One in three U.S. veterans of the post-9/11 military believes the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not worth fighting, and a majority think that after 10 years of combat America should be focusing less on foreign affairs and more on its own problems, according to an opinion survey released Wednesday.

The findings highlight a dilemma for the Obama administration and Congress as they struggle to shrink the government's huge budget deficits and reconsider defense priorities while trying to keep public support for remaining involved in Iraq and Afghanistan for the longer term.

The poll results presented by the Pew Research Center portray post-9/11 veterans as proud of their work, scarred by warfare and convinced that the American public has little understanding of the problems that wartime service has created for military members and their families.

About half (51 percent) of post-9/11 veterans say that the use of military force to fight terrorism creates hatred that breeds more terrorism; 40 percent say it is the best way to defeat terrorism. These views are nearly identical to those of the general public.

Read the full article at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44777299/ns/us_news-life/

Read the Pew report on veterans attitudes (PDF) at:

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/Pew-Military-Report.pdf