Large numbers of Europeans and Canadians believe that the military mission against al Qaeda is a failure, and indeed many say they want troops withdrawn as soon as possible.

Yep, we’re talking Afghanistan:

…[F]our years into NATO’s mission – the alliance took over ISAF in 2003 – mounting troop and civilian casualties, the latter often caused by airstrikes used when soldiers have been lacking, are turning public opinion.
A survey in Canada in August showed that solid majorities of people in Britain, France, Germany, and Italy thought the ISAF-mission was a failure, while almost one in two Canadians agreed.
A poll in Germany, which has lost more than 20 troops since 2002, found that almost two out of every three people want the government to withdraw its 3,000 troops, even though they are deployed in relatively stable areas.
The Netherlands, which one official said is “punching above its weight class,” is expected to renew in coming weeks the mandate of some 1,500 Dutch troops deployed in the southern province of Oruzgan.
Surveys suggest the majority of Dutch people are against an extension.

Ugh.