The View from Egypt

Abstract

American public diplomacy in the Middle East was a focus of renewed interest following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Despite an initial outpouring of public sympathy for America following the 9/11 attacks and dramatically increased funding for public diplomacy efforts, favorable ratings have dropped precipitously. Egyptian—and Arab—public opinion of the United States has reached new lows. America is losing the battle to win the “hearts and minds” of Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East.