It is accepted even in Washington that the Bush administration’s bungled policies in the Middle East have left it with a terrible image. In spite of twists and turns, and readjustments in public diplomacy, the US has failed to encourage a benign perception of its intentions.

Determined to claim some success, however, the Bush team, in its last months in office, says the purpose of public diplomacy is not so much to improve the US’s image as to undermine that of al-Qaeda.