The Word on the Street

THE reaction of the Arab street to the war in Iraq is well documented. But what the street says depends on which side of it is polled. The post-war optimism of most Iraqis contrasts with the deep skepticism that most non-Iraqi Arabs voice toward Operation Iraqi Freedom and its aftermath-a contrast that reflects the changing political reality of the Middle East. Iraqis, with their newfound freedom of expression and wide array of media, are getting a broader and more accurate view of the world than their politically oppressed neighbors, who hear a steady barrage of anti-American vitriol.

Surveys conducted by Zogby International between 2002 and late 2005 record opinion in six Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. The post-war opinions of Iraqis have been measured by the International Republican Institute, the Gallup Organization, and Oxford Research International.

RN

About the Author

Richard Nadler

Richard Nadler is president of the Americas Majority Foundation, a public-policy think tank in Overland Park, Kan.

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THE reaction of the Arab street to the war in Iraq is well documented. But what the street says depends on which side of it is polled. The post-war optimism of most Iraqis contrasts with the deep skepticism that most non-Iraqi Arabs voice toward Operation Iraqi Freedom and its aftermath-a contrast that reflects the changing political reality of the Middle East. Iraqis, with their newfound freedom of expression and wide array of media, are getting a broader and more accurate view of the world than their politically oppressed neighbors, who hear a steady barrage of anti-American vitriol.

Surveys conducted by Zogby International between 2002 and late 2005 record opinion in six Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. The post-war opinions of Iraqis have been measured by the International Republican Institute, the Gallup Organization, and Oxford Research International.