Americans divided over decision to withdraw from Syria
Overall, 43% of Americans say withdrawing American troops from Syria would be the right decision, while 45% say it would not.
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After 17 years of war in Afghanistan, more say U.S. has failed than succeeded in achieving its goals
About half of U.S. adults say the country’s mission in Afghanistan has mostly failed in achieving its goals, while about a third say it has mostly succeeded.
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Trust in the military exceeds trust in other institutions in Western Europe and U.S.
Large majorities in eight Western European countries trust the military, ranging from 84% in France to 66% in Spain. Similarly, eight-in-ten Americans have confidence in the military.
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U.S. active-duty military presence overseas is at its smallest in decades
The number of active-duty U.S. military troops stationed overseas has dipped below 200,000 for the first time in at least 60 years.
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John Kelly’s military background is unusual for a White House chief of staff
John Kelly is the first chief of staff in more than four decades to come from the upper ranks of the military, and unlike most of his predecessors he has no prior work experience in the White House or campaign politics.
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6 facts about the U.S. military and its changing demographics
The demographic makeup of the country’s active-duty force has changed over time, and those changes tend to reflect trends in the broader society.
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Tillerson would be first secretary of state without military or government experience
At least four secretaries of state previously worked as top executives for large private-sector companies.
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Profile of U.S. veterans is changing dramatically as their ranks decline
The share of the population with military experience – counting those who are on active duty or were in the past – has fallen by almost half since 1980.
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Most Americans trust the military and scientists to act in the public’s interest
Three-quarters or more of Americans are confident in the military, medical scientists and scientists in general to act in the best interests of the public. But fewer than half report similar confidence in the news media, business leaders and elected officials.
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Memorial Day: About half of veterans of post-9/11 wars served with someone who was killed
About half of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans (47%) said that they served with a comrade that had been killed. That number rises to 62% among soldiers who were in combat.
