ABC News is out today with some pretty striking results from its survey of Iraqis’ opinions about life in their country:

While deep difficulties remain, the advances are remarkable. Eighty-four percent of Iraqis now rate security in their own area positively, nearly double its August 2007 level. Seventy-eight percent say their protection from crime is good, more than double its low. Three-quarters say they can go where they want safely – triple what it’s been.

This new optimism is rooted in a sense of safety, made possible by the successful surge strategy implemented over the last couple of years. Iraqis don’t necessarily see it that way, though:

Just 27 percent are confident in U.S. forces (albeit nearly double its low). Just 30 percent say U.S. and coalition forces have done a good job carrying out their responsibilities in Iraq. Still fewer, 18 percent, have a positive opinion of the United States overall. Barely over a third think the election of Barack Obama will help their country.

There are obviously opinion-shaping forces at work beyond what we would consider to be facts, including national pride. But even if we were prone to hurt feelings, there is a strong indicator of hope: “[A] new high, 64 percent of Iraqis, now call democracy their preferred form of government.”

Even with all the caveats about the reliability of polling data (and especially polling data in a war-torn country), this is still a very encouraging trend.

Despite his previous opposition to the war and the surge, President Obama has made small steps toward viewing Iraq as a success. These perceived improvements in the lives of Iraqis should give him more authority to make that case, and bolster confidence that long-term success in Afghanistan is possible.