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Al Qaeda's World Perception
Despite mass popular disapproval for the war, American presence in Iraq and Afghanistan has largely crippled Al Qaeda’s operations in the Middle East and Central Asia. But American Operations have not ceased in trying to destroy an organization that is spread across many countries that does not always allow them to operate within their borders. This makes dealing with Al Qaeda far from easy and they are only broadening their recruiting base in countries with poor government and infrastructure. Although the ranks of Al Qaeda are still growing, the world perception of Al Qaeda has waned and there seems is much more discontent with them and the Arab community than once thought before.
Public opinion Studies
A study of public opinion in mostly homogenous Muslim countries reveals that very large majorities continue to renounce the use of attacks on civilians as a means of pursuing political goals. However large majorities support allowing Islamist groups to organize parties and participate in democratic elections. In some majority-Muslim countries, Islamist groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, are forbidden from participating in elections based on their history of radicalism and violence. It seems that the polarized American view that all Muslims favor the values is extremely misguided.
Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org, comments, "The US faces a conundrum. US efforts to fight terrorism with an expanded military presence in Muslim countries appear to have elicited a backlash and to have bred some sympathy for al Qaeda, even as most reject its terrorist methods."
The survey is part of a continuous study of Egypt, Pakistan, and Indonesia, with additional polling in Turkey, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Azerbaijan and Nigeria (1). Additionally, the survey was also conducted in Afghanistan and reaffirmed that the organizations power and influence in the region is waning. Eighty-one percent of Afghans said they think that al-Qaeda is having a negative influence in the world with just 6% saying that it is having a positive influence. An even higher percentage—90%—said they have an unfavorable view of Osama bin Laden, with 75% saying they have a very unfavorable view. Just 5% said they have a favorable view these levels were slightly lower in the country’s war zone, the eastern and south-central part of the country: three in five (60%) in those areas had a very unfavorable view of bin Laden.
Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org, comments, "The US faces a conundrum. US efforts to fight terrorism with an expanded military presence in Muslim countries appear to have elicited a backlash and to have bred some sympathy for al Qaeda, even as most reject its terrorist methods."
The survey is part of a continuous study of Egypt, Pakistan, and Indonesia, with additional polling in Turkey, Jordan, the Palestinian territories, Azerbaijan and Nigeria (1). Additionally, the survey was also conducted in Afghanistan and reaffirmed that the organizations power and influence in the region is waning. Eighty-one percent of Afghans said they think that al-Qaeda is having a negative influence in the world with just 6% saying that it is having a positive influence. An even higher percentage—90%—said they have an unfavorable view of Osama bin Laden, with 75% saying they have a very unfavorable view. Just 5% said they have a favorable view these levels were slightly lower in the country’s war zone, the eastern and south-central part of the country: three in five (60%) in those areas had a very unfavorable view of bin Laden.
U.S Efforts
This data that we see in these polls can be seen as advantage for the United States in main way. With decreased influence and support, Al Qaeda is now prone to countries and coalitions to work more unilaterally towards combating them. In places where Al Qaeda was able under U.S jurisdiction they are now coming under attack from a move subversive drone strategy where the U.S can operate under much less strict guidelines. This couldn’t be without the massive amount of support the U.S has conjured up within the world community.
All in all, Al Qaeda has become more of a renegade organization rather than coalition of freedom fighters. As of late, countries you would not expect have been cracking down on the organizations efforts. Pakistani intelligence officers working with the CIA arrested three members of Al Qaeda, including a top operative believed to have been tasked by Osama bin Laden with targeting American economic interests around the world(2). This comes as a pleasant surprise after the recent fallout with the Pakistani intelligence agency after the assassination of Osama Bin Laden.
All in all, Al Qaeda has become more of a renegade organization rather than coalition of freedom fighters. As of late, countries you would not expect have been cracking down on the organizations efforts. Pakistani intelligence officers working with the CIA arrested three members of Al Qaeda, including a top operative believed to have been tasked by Osama bin Laden with targeting American economic interests around the world(2). This comes as a pleasant surprise after the recent fallout with the Pakistani intelligence agency after the assassination of Osama Bin Laden.
The Future of Al Qaeda
Recent trends suggest that Al Qaeda’s influence is only going to get weaker from now on. An overwhelming majority of Arabs who think that radicalism is a detriment to their society will make it only harder for al Qaeda to broaden their recruitment base. On top of that, the broader support that the U.S receives to operate against such factions makes Al Qaeda’s life that much harder. The continuity of the organizations long-term integrity seems very questionable at this point in time.
Sources
(1) Media, B. W. (n.d.). Muslim Publics Oppose Al Qaeda's Terrorism, But Agree With Its Goal of Driving US Forces Out - World Public Opinion. World Public Opinion. Retrieved September 26, 2011, from
(2) Pakistan Detains 3 Suspected Al Qaeda Members, Including Top Operative | Fox News. (n.d.). Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos. Retrieved September 26, 2011, from
Isby, D. C. (2010).Afghanistan: graveyard of empires : a new history of the borderlands. New York, NY: Pegasus Books
Jones, S. G. (2009). In the graveyard of empires: America's war in Afghanistan. New York: W.W. Norton & Co..
(2) Pakistan Detains 3 Suspected Al Qaeda Members, Including Top Operative | Fox News. (n.d.). Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos & News Videos. Retrieved September 26, 2011, from
Isby, D. C. (2010).Afghanistan: graveyard of empires : a new history of the borderlands. New York, NY: Pegasus Books
Jones, S. G. (2009). In the graveyard of empires: America's war in Afghanistan. New York: W.W. Norton & Co..