Washington -- While Americans continue to debate the U.S. position in Iraq, four years after the invasion in March 2003, Arab countries remain deeply concerned and fearful of the long-term regional damage caused by the conflict. This is according to a Zogby International (ZI)/Arab American Institute (AAI) poll of five Arab countries released today.

Among the findings were statistics that indicated a number of countries polled now view the U.S. role in Iraq as being more negative than Iran's influence in Iraq.

Of particular concern to Arabs polled in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon is the degree to which the war has emboldened neighboring Iran and the heightened danger that Iraq may unravel in a civil war that could spill over into the broader region.

While it's not surprising that Arabs polled responded negatively regarding the U.S.'s role in Iraq -- ranging from 68% in Saudi Arabia to 96% in Jordan - - their opinions were also very negative regarding Iran's perceived role. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, more respondents expressed negative attitudes towards Iran (78%) than towards the U.S. [See Chart 1.]

"The Bush Administration finds itself in a bind of its own making, created by entering into this conflict without a clear understanding of its consequences," said Dr. James Zogby, president of AAI. "But this same bind has also placed our Arab allies in an equally difficult situation -- one with even more troubling options."

The poll, which was conducted between Feb. 26 and March 10, 2007, surveyed 3,400 Arabs in five countries. The margin of error of in Egypt and Saudi Arabia was +/-3.5% and in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon it was +/- 4.1%.

For the full report, please visit http://www.aaiusa.org or call AAI's Communications Department at 202-429-9210.
For a pdf version of the report: http://www.aaiusa.org/page/-/Polls/2007_poll_four_years_later_arab_opinion.pdf

About the Arab American Institute

Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities. For more information on AAI, please visit http://www.aaiusa.org or call 202-429-9210.

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