For those who must always ask the question "But why do they hate us?", you might also want to try asking "Why do they like us?" once in a while.

Long a stronghold for Islamic extremists and the world's second-most populous Muslim nation, Pakistanis now hold a more favorable opinion of the U.S. than at any time since 9/11, while support for al Qaeda in its home base has dropped to its lowest level since then. The direct cause for this dramatic shift in Muslim opinion is clear: American humanitarian assistance for Pakistani victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake that killed 87,000. The U.S. pledged $510 million for earthquake relief in Pakistan and American soldiers are playing a prominent role in rescuing victims from remote mountainous village

Rob agrees about humanitarian being a major factor in this shift. Some might call me crazy, but I believe the situation in Iraq is also a positive factor.

Why? Despite the best efforts of Al-Jazeera and our own media to sour the Muslim world toward the United States, I think actions speak louder than words. A few days ago, no Americans voted in Iraq, but a whole lot of Iraqis did. It is not coalition troops that are blowing up Muslims in the streets and markets and outside mosques. It isn't one success or even fifty; it is a three year history of our troops providing stability, security and a little bit of guidance and not much else. Our presence on the soil of Iraq is but a small and quiet footprint.

As the face of the elected Iraqi government continues to be seen, I believe this trend will continue. In the strategy game, it appears that the West (and the Iraqi people) have won, and Al-Zaquari has not.