Iraq Sentiment Looking Up

Iraqis have become much more optimistic since last March, according to a survey conducted by the BBC and ABC News. No longer are Iraqis as concerned about security issues such as bombs and kidnappings. Now they are more preoccupied with (surprise) jobs and the economy. Overall, 85 percent said their "security situation was very good," an increase of 23 percent from last year. Also, the number of people who had been the victim of violence related to the war diminished. As expected, there is a pronounced difference in Sunni and Shiite opinions. Interestingly, in the past the Sunni minority has consistently been more pessimistic than Shiites, yet the latest poll finds "a pronounced shift in Sunni opinion towards a more optimistic view."