According to a poll released by the Brookings Institute, six in ten Americans believe that our response to 9/11 weakened our economy and our nation.  Two out of three Americans believe that our military engagements reduced our prestige and influence globally. Almost 70 percent believe that the Obama Administration’s plan to strengthen the Afghanistan army in order to turn over police action to the country, is the right one.  While 57 percent continue to agree that we should have invaded the country in response to the 9/11 attacks, 73% want our troops to come home; but only 44 percent think all of them should.

Iraq is a different story, according to the poll.  Most Americans believe it cost too much (55 %) that we should never have invaded in the first place (49 % vs. 45 % who support the invasion) and that we should withdraw troops according to schedule even if the Iraqi government asks us to stay (53 %).

We spent too much money on the war (55%) and think it was a mistake (49% vs. 45 % who think it was the right decision) a slight reduction since last year when a variety of polls showed 51 to 62 percent disapproving of our action in Iraq.

The poll also shows the  line blurring  in American minds between the 9/11 attackers and all Muslims.  Just after the attack, in October 2001, ABC reported that 47 % of Americans had a positive view of Islam with only 39 % voicing an unfavorable opinion.  Tracking the same question, opinion has shifted dramatically with the current poll showing a 33 % with a positive opinion of Islam and 60 percent with a negative view; however, 53 percent still have a favorable opinion of the Arab people and 49 percent a favorable view of Muslim people with 73 percent of respondents blaming the attacks on “a radical fringe.”