<s>[INST] As a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan, I have been tasked with explaining the war to an audience in the United States. I'm prepping for this and want to know how others back home perceive the war. The main themes I'd like to explore are: how well-informed the public is, their perceptions of the U.S. military's progress, and any misconceptions they may hold about the conflict.

To help me prepare, could you provide some insights into the public's understanding of the war?[/INST]