Helping ourselves by helping others

Via Daniel Drezner.

Terror Free Tomorrow has a report (.pdf) on improving popular opinion in Pakistan concerning America. It is a result of our earthquake relief efforts, and shows how dynamic and oportunistic the war on terror really is:

Key Findings of the Poll:

· 73% of Pakistanis surveyed in November 2005 now believe suicide terrorist attacks are never justified, up from 46% just last May.

· Support for Osama Bin Laden has declined significantly (51% favorable in May 2005 to just 33% in November), while those who oppose him rose over the same period from 23% to 41%.

· US favorability among Pakistanis has doubled from 23% in May to more than 46% now, while the percentage of Pakistanis with very unfavorable views declined from 48% to 28%.

· For the first time since 9/11, more Pakistanis are now favorable to the United States than unfavorable.

· 78% of Pakistanis have a more favorable opinion of the United States because of the American response to the earthquake, with the strongest support among those under 35.

· 79% of those with confidence in Bin Laden now have a more favorable view of the US because of American earthquake aid.

· 81% said that earthquake relief was important for them in forming their overall opinion of the United States.

· The United States fared better in Pakistani public opinion than both other Western countries and radical Islamist groups.