The war on terror is a failure in the minds of those polled. Some 24,000 adults across 23 countries were polled for the BBC World Service between 8 July and 12 September. The charges by Barack Obama that we fought the wrong war at the wrong time in the wrong place thereby weakening ourselves are supported by these opinions.
When asked "overall would you say your feelings about al-Qaeda are positive, negative or mixed", some 60% of Egyptians said they had either a positive or mixed view.
Analysts say the group continues to have many Egyptians among its leaders.
Meanwhile in Pakistan, where much of the battle against al-Qaeda is being fought, just 19% said they had a negative view of Osama Bin Laden's organisation.
Monday on the BBC World Service carried by NPR, a number of Pakistanis were interviewed about their views of Al-Qaeda and the USA. Look below the break for more.
A number of Pakistanis were interviewed about their attitudes toward Al-Qaeda and the USA. The reactions were relatively uniform, namely that both are bad. There was no real distinction made by those interviewed. Thus as we watch the foreign policy debates unfold, it would seem that we have accomplished nothing but to make those we need to be our allies in our efforts to capture Osama Bin-Laden care less if he is ever caught. Meanwhile we ignore these attitudes and press our luck:Petraeus warns on Pakistan threat
Militants in Pakistan pose a threat to the country's existence, according the the American General, David Petraeus.
Speaking in London after meeting the UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, the commander of US Central Command said Pakistan had to deal with the problem.
He went on to say he would help Pakistan make a a sustained commitment to deal with the militants.
His comments come amid tension between the US and Islamabad over American attacks on militants inside Pakistan.
These are mixed messages at best. It seems that we are again misreading the desires of the people to further our own goals. Here's more ironically embeded in an article entitled: Pakistan villagers taking on the Taleban
America has increased strikes in Bajaur and other tribal areas on the Afghan border, targeting suspected militants.
The army admits that a purely military victory is impossble
The Pakistani army has denounced the raids. It fears they will make the tribes switch sides, and turn the emerging anti-Taleban sentiment into an anti-American one
"They are all against the American actions here in this country, and they are against the Taleban committing any offence," says Shafir Ullah, the government representative who deals with the tribal elders.
"But if Americans continue their activities in the tribal areas, these people will become sympathisers of Taleban."
How many times will we make the same mistakes? We botched it badly so far. And it looks like we will try hard to make it worse!