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Terrorists in Love: True Life Stories of Islamic Radicals—“Groundbreaking” Terror Free Tomorrow Book Released in New Paperback Version (6/5/12)
TFT President Ken Ballen’s book has been hailed by the Washington Post as a “riveting, behind-the-scenes” account and by Foreign Policy as “likely [to help] hasten the demise of the terrorist movement.” The paperback version also features a new Reading Group Guide. To view the book’s website, click here.
Talibanistan (January 2013)
TFT President Ken Ballen is a contributing author on the book published by Oxford University Press. Ballen and the book’s other contributors were featured on C-SPAN’s Book TV. For the program and book, click here.
New Joint Study Released by Terror Free Tomorrow and the Brookings Institution (November 2012)
Brookings and TFT’s new study is the first to assess in a comprehensive manner the additional benefits to both donors and recipients alike of humanitarian assistance. For the full study, click here.
Terrorists in Love: The Real Lives of Islamic Radicals—New Terror Free Tomorrow Book (10/04/11)
TFT President Ken Ballen’s new book has been chosen by Publisher’s Weekly as one of the top ten politics books that will be released in the Fall (2011), calling it “an unprecedented and unusual look at Islamic radicalism.” To view the book’s website, click here.
Pakistan: Unprecedented Survey of Tribal Areas
In the first comprehensive public opinion survey covering sensitive political issues in the region, we found that suicide fighters enjoy widespread popular support. This unprecedented finding helps explain the success of the Taliban and Al Qaeda’s sanctuary—a safe haven that has had devastating consequences for American soldiers in Afghanistan.
For TFT’s full survey report, click here. For featured commentary on CNN, click here. For other news coverage, click here.
Congressional Hearing—Terror Free Tomorrow’s Surveys (11/18/09)
TFT President Ken Ballen testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the overall meaning of TFT’s more than 30 surveys in the Muslim world. TFT surveys were also cited in the Chairman’s opening statement and by the other witnesses. For Ken Ballen’s written congressional testimony, click here.
Al Qaeda and its Allies: The Endgame? (10/21/09)
Ken Ballen, TFT President, was a featured speaker at the leading annual conference on Al Qaeda and terrorism. Having studied efforts in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Indonesia, Ballen spoke on the possibility and limits of de-radicalization of militants. For a video of Ballen’s presentation, click here.
Iran: Survey before Elections
In a rare independent nationwide survey before the June 2009 Presidential elections, Iranians of every political inclination are united in their desire for greater democracy, economic progress and better relations with the United States. While our uncensored poll shows incumbent President Ahmadinejad in the lead with a plurality of support, the survey also reveals that a second round run off against his closest challenger, Mir Hussein Moussavi, is likely.
For TFT’s full survey report, click here. For featured commentary on CNN, click here. For other news coverage, click here.
Al Qaeda Conference, Senate Caucus Room
TFT President Ken Ballen was among a select group of leading global experts on terrorism addressing this seminal conference. For Ken Ballen’s presentation, please click here. For more analysis of the policy significance of Terror Free Tomorrow’s work recently featured by CNN, Foreign Policy, the Los Angeles Times, CBS News, and a cover story by The Washington Monthly, click here.
Poll of Pakistan before June 2008 By-Elections
Pakistanis strongly favor their own government not fighting against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, but negotiating with them instead. Public support for Al Qaeda is also gaining ground since earlier this year. Important Parliamentary by-elections are scheduled in Pakistan for June 26th. In the only poll before the elections, our survey shows that Nawaz Sharif is now the most popular political leader in Pakistan. Mr. Sharif’s party, the PML-N, would emerge as the clear winner in any national contest, far eclipsing the current largest party in Parliament, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). For TFT's complete survey report, click here.
Rockefeller Brothers Fund 2007 Annual Report
In its Annual Report for 2007, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (“RBF”) featured Terror Free Tomorrow’s work. The RBF is one of the leading foundations in the United States. With more than fifty grantees in the area of peace and security, the RBF highlighted Terror Free Tomorrow as one of only three grantees whose work was singled out for 2007. For the excerpt from the RBF Annual Report, please click here.
Iran: New 2008 Survey before Elections
In a new public opinion poll across Iran before the upcoming March 14th national elections, Iranians do not strongly support the ballot choices offered to them. Iranians also continue to overwhelmingly favor better relations with the United States, a full democracy for Iran, and concessions on the nuclear issue.
For TFT’s full survey report, click here. For a feature article in the Washington Post, click here.
Pakistan: New Poll before 2008 Elections
In dramatic reversal from just a few months ago, Pakistanis have turned against Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda and the Taliban. And in an equally stunning turnaround, in advance of Pakistan’s upcoming February 18th elections, nearly two-thirds of Pakistanis now intend to vote for the moderate political parties on the ballot.
For TFT’s full survey report, click here. For editorials on the survey, click here. For news coverage, click here.
Saudi Arabia: Unprecedented Nationwide Survey
Saudi Arabia, birthplace of Islam, home to its holiest places, and also home country of Osama Bin Laden and 15 of the 19 9/11 terrorists. Yet, Bin Laden’s fellow countrymen have dramatically turned against him, his organization of Al Qaeda, Saudi fighters in Iraq, and terrorism itself. And they have also equally dramatically turned in favor of Bin Laden’s chief enemy: The United States of America. The people of Saudi Arabia are now among the most pro-American and anti-terrorist of any in the entire Muslim world.
For TFT’s full survey report, click here. For the Christian Science Monitor, CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and other articles, click here.
Congressional Hearing featuring Terror Free Tomorrow’s Iran Survey, House National Security Subcommittee (10/30/07)
TFT President Ken Ballen was the lead witness and Terror Free Tomorrow’s recent survey of Iran was featured in a hearing on the views of the Iranian public. For more information about the hearing, please click here. For Ken Ballen’s written congressional testimony, click here. For a letter from Chairman Tierney, click here. For additional information, click here.
Benazir Bhutto Reconciliation (2008)
In her posthumous book, hailed by the New York Times as “the most persuasive modern interpretation of Islam,” the former Pakistani Prime Minister and assassinated leader relies on Terror Free Tomorrow findings for one of her most important future policy prescriptions. “When ordinary people in a country identify assistance improving their lives, they bond with the source of that aid. Such a bonding could bring a dramatic turnaround in perception among Muslims—on the so-called Muslim street—about the West. Empirical evidence substantiates this. After the horrific tsunami devastated Indonesia in December 2004, American public and private sector aid poured into the most populous Islamic nation on Earth. A poll taken by Terror Free Tomorrow immediately thereafter showed that favorable views of the United States jumped 65 percent because of American aid to the Indonesian people. Programs help change perceptions.” For Benazir Bhutto’s full quote, click here.
The Audacity of Hope by President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama relies on Terror Free Tomorrow’s work for the conclusion to his foreign policy chapter. “Perhaps the world’s fate depends not just on the events of its battlefields,” President Obama writes, “perhaps it depends just as much on the work we do in those quiet places that require a helping hand.” Citing Terror Free Tomorrow’s findings, President Obama concludes that U.S. assistance to Indonesia after the tsunami is an example of the kind of policies that the United States should pursue: “65 percent of Indonesians surveyed said that this assistance had given them a more favorable view of the United States. I am not naïve enough to believe that one episode in the wake of catastrophe can erase decades of mistrust. But it’s a start.” Click here.
Hearing on Al Qaeda, House Intelligence Committee (4/9/08)
Terror Free Tomorrow’s recent surveys of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were featured: “Ten percent of Saudis have a favorable view of the al Qaeda terrorist network, according to a survey released in December 2007 by Terror Free Tomorrow, an international public opinion research group based in Washington. Recent events in Pakistan may also be the best potential positive development in the fight against al Qaeda in years. Support for suicide operations, according to Terror Free Tomorrow, have precipitously dropped in the past five years among Pakistanis from 33% to 9%. Similarly, favorable views of bin Laden have plummeted from 70% to 4% in the past nine months in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, where US officials have long believed bin Laden to be hiding. This may finally create the political will among the Pakistani establishment and military to do what is necessary to eliminate al Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan”
Pakistan: Nationwide Survey (August 2007)
A new nationwide survey of Pakistan by Terror Free Tomorrow may help explain why Osama bin Laden remains at large in Pakistan and why both al Qaeda and the Taliban have regrouped there. Nearly three quarters of Pakistanis oppose American military action to pursue Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters based inside Pakistan. Moreover, a third or more of Pakistanis have a favorable view of Al Qaeda, the Taliban and bin Laden. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is also the least popular political leader in Pakistan today—falling considerably behind bin Laden.
For a video of the CNN story, please click here. For a transcript of the CNN story, please click here , for the CNN.com, New York Times, Washington Post and Financial Times articles, click here, for other news coverage, click here, and for the full survey report, here.
CNN Releases New Terror Free Tomorrow Poll of Pakistan (9/11/07)
CNN released Terror Free Tomorrow’s new poll of Pakistan in an exclusive, feature news story on Anderson Cooper 360. In reporting by Peter Bergen, CNN’s Terrorism Analyst, TFT President Ken Ballen was interviewed, and the survey findings were widely displayed. CNN also ran a feature story on CNN.com, the most trafficked news website in the world.
For a video of the CNN story, please click here. For a transcript of the CNN story, please click here. For the CNN.com article, please click here.
Hearing on Pakistan, House Armed Services Committee (10/11/07)
Terror Free Tomorrow’s recent survey of Pakistan was highlighted: “A recent poll taken by the U.S. nongovernmental organization Terror Free Tomorrow shows that an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis do not view the fight against terrorism as benefiting Pakistan nor do they see defeating al Qaeda as a priority for their leaders. Instead they appear to blame the recent violence on Pakistani counterterrorism cooperation with the U.S. and increasingly question the benefits of continuing to support U.S.-led anti-terrorism efforts in the region that, in their opinion, rely too heavily on military force.”
Hearing on Iran, House Foreign Affairs Committee (10/23/07)
Terror Free Tomorrow’s recent survey of Iran was cited: “In a poll conducted in the summer 2007 by the bipartisan group Terror Free Tomorrow, 80 percent of Iranians said they favored Iran offering full international nuclear inspections and a guarantee not to develop or possess nuclear weapons in return for outside aid.”
U.S. House Floor (10/15-18/07)
The findings of Terror Free Tomorrow’s survey of Turkey were discussed and featured in statements on the House Floor and letters to the House leadership by key Members of Congress. For the full poll results, click here.
Heritage Event: Terror Free Tomorrow Discussion of Iran Survey (10/23/07)
Ken Ballen, Terror Free Tomorrow President, presented the findings of TFT’s recent Iran, Syria and Pakistan polls at the Heritage Foundation.
CSIS Event: Terror Free Tomorrow Discussion of Pakistan Survey (10/17/07)
Ken Ballen, Terror Free Tomorrow President, presented the findings of TFT’s recent Pakistan poll at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Ken was joined in an analysis of the poll’s critical importance to American foreign policy by noted national security expert from CSIS, Anthony Cordesman and Teresita Schaffer, director of the South Asia Program at CSIS. For the CSIS roundtable event, click here.
NBC News: The Today Show (9/13/07)
Reporting from Tehran, Matt Lauer prominently featured Terror Free Tomorrow’s recent survey in examining the views of Iranians. Citing the work of “Terror Free Tomorrow, a Washington based non-profit”, NBC News highlighted in charts TFT’s findings, including that “almost 70% of Iranians favor normal relations and trade with the United States, and only 29% consider nuclear weapons to be an important priority for their government”, among others.
Syria: Pioneering New Poll
Despite powerful anti-American feelings and support for Iraqi fighters, 63% of Syrians still favor Syria working with the United States to help resolve the Iraq war. In another important finding, Syrians also favor peace with Israel. Yet, in marked contrast to Terror Free Tomorrow’s recent survey of Iran, which had similar methodology, questions and timing, Syrians—unlike Iranians—oppose closer relations with the United States, while expressing satisfaction with their current system of government.
For a Wall Street Journal commentary on the poll, click here, for other press coverage, click here, for the full survey report, click here.
The Wall Street Journal Commentary (8/4/07)
In a lead commentary, Ken Ballen reports on Terror Free Tomorrow’s unprecedented surveys of Syria and Iran, concluding: “The U.S. should lead a broad-based international coalition, and not give the Iranian and Syrian regimes a free hand in portraying the U.S. as the mortal enemy of their people.…Public opinion in these countries tells us that it is time for the U.S. and the international community to place the ball squarely in the court of the Iranian and Syrian people -- and let their respective governments play defense for a change.” For the full editorial releasing the survey results in the Journal, click here.
Iran: Unprecedented Nationwide Survey
Discontent with the current system of government, the state of Iran’s economy, and isolation from the West is widespread throughout Iran. In this context, nuclear weapons are the lowest priority for the Iranian people. Iranians even overwhelmingly support their government providing full inspections and a guarantee not to develop nuclear weapons in return for trade and assistance from other countries. The popular will to live in a democracy open to the West and the United States, with greater economic opportunity, comes from every region and segment of Iranian society. These are among the significant findings of the first nationwide public opinion survey of Iran on these issues since President Ahmadinejad took office.
For a Wall Street Journal commentary on the poll, click here, for other press coverage, click here, for the CSIS event click here, for the full survey report, click here.
The Wall Street Journal Commentary (7/11/07)
“Keen observers of Iran have insisted for years that the Iranian people are pro-Western, indeed pro-American, while opposed to the largely unelected clerical regime that rules them. For the first time, Terror Free Tomorrow's unprecedented nationwide poll of Iran offers indisputable empirical proof that these commentators are dead-on in their assessment of the ‘Iranian street.’” For the full editorial by Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen, releasing the survey results in the Journal, click here.
CSIS Event: Terror Free Tomorrow Discussion of Iran Survey (7/13/07)
Ken Ballen, Terror Free Tomorrow President, presented the findings of the Iran poll at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The event was broadcast live by C-SPAN. Ken was joined in an analysis of the poll’s critical importance to American foreign policy by noted national security/ Middle East experts from CSIS, Anthony Cordesman and Jon Alterman. For C-SPAN’s broadcast of the CSIS roundtable event, click here. For the CSIS video, click here.
US House Bi-Partisan Iran Working Group (7/26/07)
Ken Ballen, Terror Free Tomorrow President, presented findings and analysis of the Iran poll to Members and staff of the House of Representatives, including key Committees, such as the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Events on Capitol Hill (May 2007)
Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN) (May 7, 2007) introduced new legislation to strengthen America's public diplomacy and humanitarian efforts. The Senators rely on Terror Free Tomorrow’s surveys as one of the key findings for the legislation: “According to polling from Terror Free Tomorrow, American humanitarian assistance, in places like Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, has a lasting impact that favorably increases public opinion toward the United States.” Terror Free Tomorrow also hosted an event on May 18, 2007 for Congressional staff in the House Rayburn Building, where Ken Ballen presented TFT’s latest survey in Turkey (see below).
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Mullen, Testimony before the House Armed Services Committee (3/1/07)
“Perhaps the most tangible application of Navy’s global reach and persistent presence in building partner capacity was last year’s five month deployment of the hospital ship MERCY in the summer of 2006 to the tsunami-affected areas in South and Southeast Asia. In an August 2006 public opinion survey, conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow, Indonesians and Bangladeshis overwhelmingly indicated their support of this humanitarian mission. In Indonesia, 85% of those aware of MERCY’s visit had a favorable opinion, and in Bangladesh this figure was 95%. Further, 87% of those polled in Bangladesh stated that MERCY’s activities made their overall view of the United States more positive. These polling results provide real indication of the power of partnerships.”
J. Michael Waller, The Public Diplomacy Reader (2007); Tony Smith, Washington’s Bid (2007); Dana Dillon, The China Challenge (2007); Carnes Lord, Losing Hearts and Minds (2007); Dick Martin, Rebuilding Brand America (2007).
In a separate chapter entitled “Medical Diplomacy generates large-scale Goodwill,” Professor Waller extensively quotes from Terror Free Tomorrow’s work as one of the six best examples of findings documenting the effectiveness of humanitarian public diplomacy (pp.206-209). Professor Smith cites Terror Free Tomorrow as one of a select group of the most effective non-governmental organizations addressing the foreign policy of the United States (p.142). Noted national security expert Dana Dillon writes: “The most important polling organization for understanding the progress of American policies in the war on terrorism is Terror Free Tomorrow.” (p.56). Professor Lord references Terror Free Tomorrow’s findings as “striking demonstrations of the malleability of public opinion in the Muslim world in the face of the reality of American beneficence.” (p.41), while Martin concurs.
Lael Brainard, Director, Brookings Institution, Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (6/12/07)
“In a world transformed by globalization and challenged by terrorism, foreign aid deserves attention as a critical instrument of American soft power. With hard power assets stretched thin and facing 21st century threats from global poverty, pandemics, and terrorism, the U.S. must deploy its soft power more effectively. Recent polls underscore the importance of getting this right. Abroad, Terror Free Tomorrow found that foreign aid dramatically improved public perceptions of the United States in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, for a sustained period following U.S. generosity in the wake of the tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.”
New Public Opinion Survey of Turkey
Terror Free Tomorrow’s latest Turkish survey is the first on an issue of vital importance to both Turkey and the United States. The U.S. Congress is considering a resolution formally recognizing as organized genocide the mass killings of Armenians from 1915-23 in Turkey’s predecessor state of the Ottoman Empire. Our unprecedented survey shows that the resolution would actually set back the cause it purports to achieve: namely, Turkey’s recognition of its own past and reconciliation with Armenia today. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the ARI Movement of Turkey and its affiliate in the United States, the ARI Foundation. For the full joint poll report, click here. For a Terror Free Tomorrow editorial on the poll, click here.
The Christian Science Monitor Editorial
In a lead commentary, Ken Ballen reports on Terror Free Tomorrow’s latest findings and their policy implications: “Our surveys show that not only do Muslims reject terrorism as much if not more than Americans, but even those who are sympathetic to radical ideology can be won over by positive American actions that promote goodwill and offer real hope.” For the complete op-ed, please click here.
The Christian Science Monitor Editorial
In another lead commentary, Ken Ballen analyzes how Terror Free Tomorrow’s survey data has led to successful American actions in Muslim countries, including the recent mission of the U.S. Navy ship Mercy: “By demonstrating our common humanity and a benevolent side to American power, these missions have proved to be America's most successful weapon against extremism in the Muslim world.” For the full op-ed, click here.
President Clinton Cites Terror Free Tomorrow
President Clinton continues to regularly cite Terror Free Tomorrow’s work. On April 18, 2007, in a speech before the Mid-Year Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, President Clinton said: “After the tsunami in Indonesia, the approval rating of the United States soared because of the U.S. military just helping ordinary Indonesians.” For more remarks, click here. Terror Free Tomorrow is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative. For more, click here.
New Nationwide Public Opinion Survey of Nigeria
Lee Hamilton, Co-Chair of the 9/11 Commission and the Iraq Study Group commented on Terror Free Tomorrow’s latest survey: "Terror Free Tomorrow's new survey of Nigerian opinion reinforces a lesson that America has learned in places as diverse as Pakistan and Indonesia: in the struggle against extremism, the effective and targeted use of U.S. assistance can be as effective - if not more effective - than the deployment of bombs and guns. To win the war of ideas and to combat the swelling turmoil around the world, the United States must use all aspects of American power - including the power of American generosity." For the full poll report, click here.
Unprecedented Polls: World’s Largest Muslim Countries Welcome U.S. Navy
In unprecedented public opinion surveys by Terror Free Tomorrow, Indonesians and Bangladeshis overwhelmingly welcomed the U.S. Navy’s recent humanitarian mission of the Navy hospital ship Mercy. Terror Free Tomorrow’s path breaking surveys prove that humanitarian aid by the Navy succeeds in changing the opinion of the United States in the most populous Muslim countries of the world. For the full results, analysis and methodology, click here.
Admiral Michael Mullen at the National Press Club
The Navy’s top officer, Admiral Michael Mullen announced on November 16, 2006 that the favorable change in public opinion documented by Terror Free Tomorrow after American tsunami relief was a “critical factor” in launching the 2006 mission of the Navy hospital ship Mercy. Mercy is a fully equipped, 1,000-bed hospital, which from May to August offered free medical services and training to the people of Indonesia and Bangladesh, including care to 61,000 needy patients. According to Admiral Mullen, overwhelming favorable opinions of the mission by both Indonesians and Bangladeshis, as documented by Terror Free Tomorrow, will lead to future missions by the Mercy and other naval hospital ships. For the full poll results, click here. For articles on Admiral Mullen’s comments, click here.
The Washington Post (1/7/07)
From the Brookings Institution for the Washington Post’s Think Tank Town:“The effects of the power of service can also be seen in the results of a recent Terror Free Tomorrow poll, which showed a markedly positive change in major Muslim nation perceptions of the United States in response to humanitarian relief and service initiatives. Polling data indicated that nearly 60 percent of Indonesians and 75 percent of Pakistanis held more favorable views of the United States following humanitarian assistance after their tsunami and earthquake tragedies. Importantly, this change in perception lasted beyond the initial aid and service, underscoring that America's actions can have lasting impact.”
The Brookings Institution
From a report released on November 6, 2006: “While America is awash in polls this political season, one recent poll deserves attention because its findings point to a policy change that would have more impact on the future of the United States than the outcome of the midterm elections. A poll by Terror Free Tomorrow conducted in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan, the three most populous Muslim countries, found that U.S. foreign aid has the potential to dramatically improve public perceptions of the United States. The end result of the poll findings is that the United States has the ability to win "hearts and minds" through "deeper American assistance, directly to the people, following their expressed priorities."
Terror Free Tomorrow Featured at the Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation featured the results of Terror Free Tomorrow latest polling in the Muslim world. For Terror Free Tomorrow’s presentation, click here. For the poll results, click here.
Turkish Policy Quarterly Editorial (12/06)
From the editor of the influential Turkish Policy Quarterly: “More than ever, civil society needs to play a role in overcoming biases and building bridges. One of the oft heard criticisms of U.S. policy is a disregard of the sensitivities of other cultures and histories. In this context, organizations such as Terror Free Tomorrow are noteworthy, contributing to the understanding among American policymakers of the reasons underlying the fluctuations in anti-American sentiments worldwide.”
New Polls: American Aid Key to Favorable Muslim Public Opinion
While people from Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan—the world’s three largest Muslim countries—increasingly oppose US-led efforts to fight terrorism, most are favorable to the United States for past aid and want deeper American assistance in the future. In fact, American assistance results in a substantial favorable change in opinion toward the United States. For a full poll report, click here.
The Brookings Institution
Referring to Terror Free Tomorrow’s latest poll (click here), Brookings’ Director writes: “Together, the Terror Free Tomorrow poll and our research show that the mandate is clear for foreign-aid reform.”
Terror Free Tomorrow Featured as Leading Public Opinion Surveys in Muslim World
Terror Free Tomorrow is featured in a UPI story (10/11/06) on the problems and opportunities involved in polling in the Muslim world. The article details the experiences that Terror Free Tomorrow, “an organization which studies attitudes towards terrorism around the world” has encountered in conducting public opinion surveys in Bangladesh and Indonesia. For the full article, click here.
Terror Free Tomorrow Participant in Clinton Global Initiative
Terror Free Tomorrow is honored to be chosen as a participant in the 2006 Clinton Global Initiative. The Clinton Global Initiative, led by President Bill Clinton, is a non-partisan catalyst for action, including current and former heads of state, top businesses and key non-governmental organizations. For more on the Clinton Global Initiative, click here. For a full list of participating NGOs, including Terror Free Tomorrow, click here. For a letter from President Clinton, click here. Terror Free Tomorrow is also featured in the Clinton Global Initiative December 2006 Newsletter.
The Audacity of Hope by Senator Barack Obama (Crown Oct 2006)
In his new book, Senator Barack Obama relies on Terror Free Tomorrow’s work for the conclusion to his foreign policy chapter. “Perhaps the world’s fate depends not just on the events of its battlefields,” Senator Obama writes, “perhaps it depends just as much on the work we do in those quiet places that require a helping hand.” Citing Terror Free Tomorrow’s findings, Senator Obama concludes that U.S. assistance to Indonesia after the tsunami is an example of the kind of policies that the United States should pursue: “65 percent of Indonesians surveyed said that this assistance had given them a more favorable view of the United States. I am not naïve enough to believe that one episode in the wake of catastrophe can erase decades of mistrust. But it’s a start.” Click here.
President Clinton Cites Terror Free Tomorrow
President Clinton continues to regularly cite Terror Free Tomorrow’s work in his speeches. For example, President Clinton cited Terror Free Tomorrow's public opinion surveys in his speeches on March 28, 2006, April 12, 2006, May 23, 2006, June 5, 2006, June 21, 2006, and November 13, 2006, among others:
“There is one, and only one Muslim country where the public opinion of the United States has soared since 2003 and stayed high: Indonesia—the largest Muslim country in the world. When the President asked his father and me to coordinate part of the fundraising effort for tsunami relief, and then we went together to South Asia, we came back to make our report to the White House. When I was on the way in to the meeting with the President, one of the career people from USAID who had worked with us handed me a poll just completed in Indonesia. Comparing attitudes on the United States and Osama Bin Laden with a year previous, approval of the United States [because of the tsunami] had gone to 65 percent and approval of Bin Laden had gone from 58 to 23 percent. Mr. Bin Laden had done nothing to the Indonesians after the tsunami, but nothing for them, either. And in a stunning moment—when they saw the military dropping food instead of bombs, when they saw the American civilian aid workers, both from religious and nonreligious groups, in a stunning moment, they saw us as people because we saw them as people. Across all the religious and geographic and political divides, in that terrible moment of tragedy, we were united in our common humanity. A year later, according to another survey [by Terror Free Tomorrow] just released, those gains in public opinion have endured.”
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial
In the lead commentary, Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen writes that “the changed circumstances of the latest conflict against terror require, as our military leaders recognize, a different and imaginative use of our military and civilian resources to prevail.” For the full editorial, click here.
The Wall Street Journal Editorial
Citing Terror Free Tomorrow’s new poll of Indonesia, in a lead editorial, the editors write: “America's popularity in Indonesia has risen dramatically in the past year -- Gitmo, Abu Ghraib and Halliburton notwithstanding. That's the conclusion of a remarkable poll conducted last month for the Washington-based NGO, Terror Free Tomorrow. Since 2003, the number of Indonesians with a favorable view of the U.S. has nearly tripled, to 44% from 15%.... The proximate cause for the changed Indonesian outlook has been U.S. relief efforts following the December 2004 tsunami.” For the full editorial, click here.
The Christian Science Monitor Editorial
In the lead commentary, Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen writes that America’s top military leaders, based on Terror Free Tomorrow public opinion surveys over the past year, agree “if American efforts are focused on positive rebuilding and vision for the future, the foot soldiers for bin Laden and radical Islam will desert. Islamist extremism can indeed be effectively defeated in Muslim hearts and minds.” For the full editorial, click here.
US Senate Passes Resolution Based on Terror Free Tomorrow’s Findings
Terror Free Tomorrow’s Pakistan poll was cited by the Senate as one of the principal findings in Senate Resolution 356, unanimously passed by the Senate on January 27, 2006. The Senate supported the United States “to take the lead” to encourage and continue relief efforts in response to the earthquake in Pakistan, finding that “the results of a poll by the nonprofit organization Terror Free Tomorrow show that, at the end of November 2005, more than 46 percent of Pakistanis had a favorable view of the United States, double the percentage of Pakistanis that held that view in May 2005.” The resolution was co-sponsored by Senators Lugar and Biden (Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), and introduced by Senator Mikulski, among others.
Terror Free Tomorrow on CNN
Ken Ballen, Terror Free Tomorrow President, was interviewed on CNN about Terror Free Tomorrow’s work. The interview with anchor Carol Lin focused on the first poll in Pakistan since the earthquake of October 8, 2005, conducted by Terror Free Tomorrow. Mr. Ballen also discussed the poll on the most watched Pakistani news broadcast (GEO TV), as well as numerous radio shows across the United States. For a transcript of the CNN interview, click here.
Wall Street Journal Editorial
The Wall Street Journal released Terror Free Tomorrow’s poll of Pakistan, the first survey after the October 8th earthquake. Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen and Advisory Board member Husain Haqqani detailed the path breaking poll results in commentary, revealing that Pakistanis now hold a more favorable opinion of the United States than at any time since 9/11, while support for Al Qaeda in its home base has dropped to its lowest level since then. For the full editorial, click here.
Miami Herald Editorial
Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen discusses the implications of Terror Free Tomorrow’s unprecedented polling: “Results from a recent poll of Pakistanis deliver a stunning new message on the United States' course for future success. If American efforts are focused on a positive rebuilding and vision for the future, the foot soldiers for bin Laden and radical Islam will desert. Islamist extremism can indeed be effectively defeated in Muslim hearts and minds.” For the full op-ed, click here.
Congressional Research Service Report for Congress
In its report to the Congress on humanitarian assistance and the South Asia earthquake, the CRS found: “Systematic public polling of Pakistani opinion by Terror Free Tomorrow showed …that relief and reconstruction assistance may prove to be important in creating support for the United States while at the same time undermining support for global terrorists.”
Commentary by Ken Ballen in the pan-Arab Gulf News
“It is time we heed what America's military leaders are telling us about the war on terror. Pentagon officials involved in writing the Joint Chiefs of Staff's recently released counterterrorism strategy have acknowledged that "the American military's efforts to aid [2004] tsunami victims in Indonesia and to assist victims of Pakistan's [2005] earthquake did more to counter terrorist ideology than any attack mission".
State Department Relies on Terror Free Tomorrow Work
The United States Department of State relied on Terror Free Tomorrow polling as an independent benchmark for evaluating the success of American foreign policy in 2005. In the State Department’s FY 2005 Performance and Accountability Report, Terror Free Tomorrow polling served as the standard for measuring the effectiveness of certain US government policies around the world (See e.g. “Strategic Goal for Public Diplomacy—Performance Results”).
Navy’s Top Officer Cites Terror Free Tomorrow
Admiral Michael Mullen, Chief of Operations for the US Navy, wrote that he was “struck by the results” of Terror Free Tomorrow polling, which showed that “as a direct result of American humanitarian assistance,” there was “a stunning turnaround of public opinion” in the Muslim world. Admiral Mullen concluded: “That was, in my view, one of the defining moments of this new century.”
"Shame on us," Admiral Mullen wrote, " if, even through benign neglect, we allow those same opinions to turn against our best intentions again.” For Admiral Mullen’s full article, click here.
Former Presidents Bush and Clinton Praise Terror Free Tomorrow Poll at White House
At a White House press conference televised on CNN, MSNBC and FOX News, former President Bush discussed Terror Free Tomorrow's "great poll" showing a dramatic drop in anti-American extremism in Indonesia, and former President Clinton urged people to review the poll results on Terror Free Tomorrow's website. For their full remarks, click here. For details on this poll, click here.
Former President Clinton Cites the Importance of Terror Free Tomorrow Poll
President Clinton told a distinguished audience in Washington, DC that Terror Free Tomorrow's groundbreaking poll was "one of the most important items " he could mention to a Washington audience. In the keynote address to the Private Sector Summit on Post-Tsunami Reconstruction, President Clinton said that Terror Free Tomorrow’s poll showed a “total reaffirmation of our common humanity.”
World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz agreed with President Clinton on the importance of Terror Free Tomorrow’s poll.
Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick also cited Terror Free Tomorrow’s poll in his remarks.
Lee Hamilton Calls for Implementation of Terror Free Tomorrow's Framework
Former 9/11 Commission Co Chair Lee Hamilton called for a consistent system of tracking and undermining the support base that empowers global terrorists. In a Christian Science Monitor commentary, Mr. Hamilton cited Terror Free Tomorrow's work, writing that: "Its implications are both broad and profound." For his full commentary, click here.
Testimony before the U. S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
In testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Assistant U.S. AID Administrator James Kunder described Terror Free Tomorrow as an organization represented by “many distinguished professionals.” Kunder cited Terror Free Tomorrow’s work as the evidence behind the fact that: “The compassion of ordinary Americans and the private sector, combined with prompt government action, has significantly changed the way Indonesians view the USA…. This measurable progress on ‘winning hearts and minds’ and gaining allies in the Global War on Terrorism is a major blow to Al Qaeda and other terrorists.”
Floor Statement before the U. S. Senate
In a statement on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Joseph Biden, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, extensively cited Terror Free Tomorrow’s surveys to argue for increased aid to Pakistan “to replicate our success in Indonesia” which resulted in “an incalculable amount of goodwill” among the Muslims in the world’s largest Islamic nation.
Washington Post Analysis Relies on Terror Free Tomorrow's Work
A Washington Post news analysis called the American tsunami relief effort “the model for using a humanitarian disaster to leverage public opinion,” citing Terror Free Tomorrow polling as the evidence. The article said that the Indonesian experience could serve as the predicate for America’s response to the October earthquake in Pakistan. To read more, please click here.
Roll Call Editorial Based on Terror Free Tomorrow's Findings
In an editorial in the influential Capitol Hill publication, Morton Kondracke, Executive Editor, cited Terror Free Tomorrow’s polls of American public opinion, Indonesia, and Terror Free Tomorrow’s Report on Pakistan and the influence of radical groups in earthquake relief. According to Roll Call: “Terror Free Tomorrow found that 71 percent of Americans believe they’ve heard less about the Pakistan quake than about the tsunami. When informed about the disaster, a majority favors more U.S. aid. A widely publicized poll by TFT, whose advisory board includes Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Reps. Lee Hamilton (D-Ind.) and Tom Foley (D-Wash.), found that tsunami relief cut Indonesian popular opposition to the U.S. war on terror… TFT’s executive director, Ken Ballen, a former aide to Hamilton, told me: 'The United States is indeed helping Pakistan, but much more needs to be done, given the scale of the disaster and the strategic importance of the world’s second-largest and only nuclear-armed Muslim nation…. If we are serious about truly confronting what President Bush rightly called ‘the murderous ideology’ of radical Islamists, then we must also take the concrete steps required to weaken support for the radicals among the people themselves.'” To read more, please click here.
Ken Ballen Analyzes Pakistani Earthquake Relief in Canada's Leading Newspaper
In an op-ed in the most important Canadian newspaper, The Globe and Mail, Terror Free Tomorrow President Ken Ballen and Advisory Board member Husain Haqqani analyze the critical strategic importance of immediate assistance to Pakistan, based on new empirical evidence uncovered by Terror Free Tomorrow. Hussain Haqqani, adviser to several former Pakistani prime ministers, is director of Boston University's Center for International Relations and Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. For the full op-ed, click here.
Ken Ballen Panelist at The Heritage Foundation
At the Heritage Foundation's conference on Public Diplomacy, jointly sponsored with CSIS, Ken Ballen presented new research and ideas for improving American public diplomacy. Other panelists included Alvin Felzenberg of the 9/11 Commission, Mark Helmke from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Lewis Manilow, former Chair of the Commission on Public Diplomacy, Robert Satloff, Executive Director, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Hisham Melham, Bureau Chief, An-Nahar and Anthony Cordesman from CSIS. To see a videotape of Mr. Ballen's presentation, click here (clip position 1:05:15). For the full written presentation of Ken’s remarks, click here.
Former President Clinton Cites Terror Free Tomorrow Poll at The United Nations
At his first news conference as the top U.N. envoy for tsunami recovery, President Clinton once more relied on Terror Free Tomorrow's poll as evidence. For the full transcript of President Clinton's remarks, click here.
President Clinton has also relied on Terror Free Tomorrow's groundbreaking poll to make broader policy recommendations. In his first speech after surgery, President Clinton cited the Terror Free Tomorrow poll, stating it underscored his message to the United States and other countries. For the full story, click here.
President Bush Cites Terror Free Tomorrow's Poll of Indonesians
At a White House press conference, President Bush cited the Terror Free Tomorrow poll of Indonesians, saying that the U.S. response to the deadly tsunami has led to a dramatic change in the perception of Americans in many Muslim nations and suggesting that this new image could help in the fight against terrorism. For the news article on this press conference, click here. For details on this important poll, click here.
House Subcommittee Briefed on Terror Free Tomorrow's Indonesian Poll
The House Committee on International Relations' Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific was briefed about Terror Free Tomorrow's Indonesian poll, by Ambassador Al La Porta, president of the U.S.-Indonesia Society. For his testimony, click here.
Ken Ballen Discusses Broader Implications of Indonesian Poll in The Washington Times
The Washington Times published an op-ed by Ken Ballen saying that the Terror Free Tomorrow poll of Indonesians shows that U.S. actions are important, and public diplomacy, broadly defined, can pay an essential role in winning the war on terrorism. For the full op-ed, click here.
Ken Ballen Featured Speaker at The Heritage Foundation
At the Heritage Foundation's annual conference on Asia, President Ken Ballen presented the results of the Terror Free Tomorrow poll of Indonesians, discussed the implications of the poll, and explained the support base strategic framework. To see a videotape of Mr. Ballen's presentation, click here and then click on "View Event."
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