The Terrorism Index

Foreign Policy and the Center for American Progress have released their authoritative Terrorism Index, a survey of 100 bipartisan foreign policy experts to determine the direction of U.S. counter-terrorism policy and the threats facing the nation. While the results of the survey still worry about the potential for a terrorist attack -- which a majority still see as increasing -- the survey also uncovered a more positive outlook.

For the first time since the index was launched in 2006, the experts have become more optimistic. A year ago, 91 percent of the experts said they believed the world was growing more dangerous for Americans and the United States. This year that figure fell to 70 percent, a 21-point drop in 12 months. Similarly, when asked in 2007 if they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “The United States is winning the war on terror,” just 6 percent of the experts agreed. Today, 21 percent of the experts say the United States is making headway in fighting terrorism. Overall, the percentage of experts who see the threat of global terrorist networks as increasing dropped from 83 percent last year to 55 percent today.

Check out the full report for some interesting charts on the experts' interpretations of issues like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the terrorist threats in Iran and Pakistan, and U.S. policy toward China. These are all issues that will be at the forefront of the next president's agenda, and it is reassuring -- even as these challenges remain intimidating -- to know that he might enjoy a degree of positive momentum in dealing with some of them.