As far as how much a similar idea may help with terrorism, I see it as a deeper problem. I don’t think it’s as much of a problem of your average Iraqi/Afghan/etc seeing the US as the enemy because of things we’ve done, so much as the religious aspects. When your religion tells you that god is on your side when you smite the unbelievers, it doesn’t create much room for social change. I think change starts by convincing the religious leaders that their zeal is misdirected – more of a top-down approach.

Of course, that may be an impossible task, in which case you might be right that the bottom-up is the way to go.