by Mark Silva
The image of the United States has "improved markedly'' in much of the world, according to the findings of a new global survey that shows Western Europeans in particular taking a positive new look at the U.S. but "unabated'' animosity in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories in Pakistan.
President Barack Obama, who has traveled across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa and addressed the Muslim world from Cairo, is credited with a reversal of world opinion about the United States, which had slumped during the administration of former President George W. Bush.
Even in places where the U.S. remains unpopular, the Pew Research Center reports today, "significant percentages express confidence in Obama to "do the right thing in world affairs.''
Yet Israel stands out in this survey of 24 nations and territories as the sole place where the share of people voicing a favorable view of the United States has dropped - with the combination of attitudes toward the U.S. in Israel and the Palestinian territories reflecting lingering doubts about the ability of the U.S. to serve as an honest peace broker in the region.
Favorability ratings of the U.S. slipped 13 percentage points among Israelis after Obama's June 4 Cairo speech and rose only marginally (5 percentage points) among Palestinians.
Still, for the first time in a series of studies that Pew has conducted, public confidence in the American president surpasses confidence in al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in most Muslim nations surveyed.
"The image of the United States has improved markedly in most parts of the world, reflecting global confidence in Barack Obama,'' says Andrew Kohut, president of the Washington-based research center which sponsored the survey.
" In many countries, opinions of the United States are now about as positive as they were at the beginning of the decade before George W. Bush took office,'' Kohut says. "Improvements in the U.S. image have been most pronounced in Western Europe, where favorable ratings for both the nation and the American people have soared. ''
Nearly 27,000 people were interviewed in the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project, conducted between May 18 to June 16.
In Western Europe, the survey found, the view of the U.S. has "risen to pre-Bush levels.''
Bush's decision to invade Iraq and topple the regime of Saddam Hussein in early 2003 drew fierce criticism from Western European leaders, stirring anti-U.S. sentiment in France, German and other quarters. It had perhaps a more profound impact on public opinion of the U.S. in the Arab world, where the latest survey shows that even Obama's apparently popularity has not overcome that problem.
"Optimism about Obama'' is reflected in the poll's findings in Latin America, Africa and Asia, according to Kohut. An analysis of the polling shows that "U.S. ratings are driven more by personal confidence in Obama than by opinions of specific policy decisions, analysis shows.''
In Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation, favorable ratings of the U.S. have nearly doubled. Obama, a Christian, spent some time and schooling as a youth when his family moved to Indonesia.
Yet, following the president's address in Cairo, in which he attempted to summon a spirit of mutual respect between the West and Arab nations, the survey has found only "modest gains'' in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, with animosity toward the U.S. unabated in Turkey, Palestine and Pakistan.
Pew conducted the survey in Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, the Palestinian territories, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Spain, South Korea, Turkey, and the United States.
For more, see the full report at the Pew Research Center.
Comments
This is wonderful news since we all know that the key to winning elections as well as having a successful economy resides in having a favorable view among foreigners.
Did the survey happen to ask what the international community thinks of the first lady's new hairdo?
Posted by: Chris | July 23, 2009 2:08 PM
Yet Israel stands out in this survey of 24 nations and territories as the sole place where the share of people voicing a favorable view of the United States has dropped - with the combination of attitudes toward the U.S. in Israel and the Palestinian territories reflecting lingering doubts about the ability of the U.S. to serve as an honest peace broker in the region. ~ M.S.
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Don't believe that the concern, or even respect, for the sovereignty of Israel is particularly high on Mustapha's Crisis of the Day list. Good to be popular though. Never underestimate the importance of that.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | July 23, 2009 2:29 PM
The GOP will find a way to criticize Obama for this.
I suggest they make the point that Obama is so popular outside the US, that proves he must have been born there.
Posted by: bpai99 | July 23, 2009 3:14 PM
Ignorance is bliss huh Chris?
Posted by: Bones | July 23, 2009 3:40 PM
Good to be popular though. Never underestimate the importance of that.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | July 23, 2009 2:29 PM
Thats right MORON, if the world view is better of Americans the chances of terrorist attacks against Americans dwindles you MORON!
Since Bush first took office terrorist attacks worldwide excelated to a new high! So much for his war on terror!! If you show hatred and disrespect for world views they come back at you! If you want to be an issolationsit then I suggest you move to N Korea!!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 23, 2009 3:41 PM
Do you think it is possible the world just wanted an America PreZ That could be easily run over, to weaken the US.
They wanted a prez that was better for them than he is for the US, and the American public drank the KoolAid and voted for him (the Internationally ‘Politically Correct’ choice).
You don’t think that some of those countries Favored him because they thought that he was so Inexperienced and Nice (Nice in his Naiveté) that he would just be too Slow and Naive in his approach that the situation would be over before he knew what hit him. You don’t think that some of those countries wanted a US Prez that promoted diplomacy so much that he would be easily Run Over, as Iran ‘still’ plays with him and Russia & China are up to their usual tricks (including toying with our ships at sea, aircraft incursions etc) and N Korea spits in his face (missiles all over the place).
Sure, the world likes him, he is their guy. As he becomes ‘less popular’ in the US (for not being a strong advocate for us (as other leaders are for their nations) then the world will love him more & more.
Posted by: Mr Reality | July 23, 2009 3:42 PM
Do you think it is possible the world just wanted an America PreZ That could be easily run over, to weaken the US.
They wanted a prez that was better for them than he is for the US, and the American public drank the KoolAid and voted for him (the Internationally ‘Politically Correct’ choice).
You don’t think that some of those countries Favored him because they thought that he was so Inexperienced and Nice (Nice in his Naiveté) that he would just be too Slow and Naive in his approach that the situation would be over before he knew what hit him. You don’t think that some of those countries wanted a US Prez that promoted diplomacy so much that he would be easily Run Over, as Iran ‘still’ plays with him and Russia & China are up to their usual tricks (including toying with our ships at sea, aircraft incursions etc) and N Korea spits in his face (missiles all over the place).
Sure, the world likes him, he is their guy. As he becomes ‘less popular’ in the US (for not being a strong advocate for us (as other leaders are for their nations) then the world will love him more & more.
Posted by: Mr Reality | July 23, 2009 3:51 PM
Do you mean Muslim World?
Posted by: Inky | July 23, 2009 5:26 PM
Posted by: Mr Reality | July 23, 2009 3:51 PM
The MORONS never stop do they! Tell me Mr Reality, what exactly did Bush do to stop Iran or N. Korea?? NOTHING!! The planet is calle dEarth NOT The United States of America! get over yourselves already and join the rest of the world!!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 23, 2009 6:34 PM
"This is wonderful news since we all know that the key to winning elections as well as having a successful economy resides in having a favorable view among foreigners."
Before Obama came along, it was vapid, simplistic views such as yours that made Americans the laughing stock of Europe.
Posted by: Diane | July 23, 2009 8:14 PM
When Bush was president, the rest of the world hated him but admired Americans. Now that Obama is president they admire him, and the wackos in America who hate him are making them wonder about Americans. Ironic, isn't it?
Posted by: John Frum | July 23, 2009 10:21 PM
blah blah blah Moron! #&*@Moron!*&^##Moron! Moron!! Moronmoronmoron!!&%*#%@**@@@@
etc. etc.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 23, 2009 3:41 PM
----------------------------------
With counseling, psychologists say, a highly angry person can move closer to a middle range of anger in about 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the circumstances and the techniques used.
Good luck with that.
Posted by: Django - N Exile In/Around the 30th Parallel | July 23, 2009 10:58 PM
Do you think it's possible that "Mr Reality" is an idiot?
Posted by: Tim | July 24, 2009 12:22 PM
Yes Diane,
And now that Hope-and-Change fever has swept across the planet, everything is good to go. Is your ego so fragile that you give a wit if "Americans are a laughing stock in Europe"?
If your assertion is correct, and I'm not entirely sure that it is, why would you care if someone in Europe were laughing at you for being an American?
Before your next trip to Europe, make sure you thank Obama for not being laughed at by Europeans.
Oh, and make sure you pay your respects to the thousands of Americans laying in graves who fought to free Europe from tyranny during WWII.
(idiot)
Posted by: Chris | July 24, 2009 3:34 PM
Oh, and make sure you pay your respects to the thousands of Americans laying in graves who fought to free Europe from tyranny during WWII.
(idiot)
Posted by: Chris | July 24, 2009 3:34 PM
Ya that same old story and we re-guilt Europe too! Um, tell me Chris, how many Europeans died while fighting the saem tyranny??
MORON. Yes I said it again Dijango!!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 24, 2009 9:47 PM
I love all the flatliners that are proud now of our world-view rising and some even suggest that this keeps us from being isolationists. However, when it comes to economic trading with other countries, many of these same people want to close the doors and become isolationist. They do not evene want to trade with allies like Columbia and help their economy as they sit next door to Hugo the Idiot.
Posted by: Terry | July 25, 2009 1:12 PM
Can always rely on Terrie girl to find something negative about America,s world view positively growing. Typical WIngNutCase!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 25, 2009 1:50 PM
Some of these spray-paint inhaler patriots seem to have the impression that having the world on your side is a bad thing. Considering that Russia China Korea Iran ect will always act in their best interest isn't it nice that most of the world we lost, outside of the usual governments that rival us, is on our side when they could be pushed over the brink to join our bigger "nemesis." Maybe these patriotic rabbits would rather alienate the world to join forces with the governments of the countries that rightfully consider us self-centered (we are) and then bomb the whole world into submission. I thought we could afford to win them over with honey rather than bombs, but seeing how honey has become a commodity (bee shortage due to pesticide or global warming take a pick), it will be much cheaper to fear them into submission. I offer Cheney as traveling ambassador for the US. Start in Canada and end in the hilly tops of Afghanistan aka Gates of Hell.
Posted by: hmm | July 25, 2009 8:56 PM
OBAMA AVOIDS BIBLE VERSES !
Here are some Bible verses that Pres. Obama avoids:
Proverbs 19:10 (NIV): "It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury - how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!"
Also Proverbs 30:22 (NIV) which says that the earth cannot bear up under "a servant who becomes king."
And Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 (KJV) advises: "let thy words be few...a fool's voice is known by multitude of words."
Although Obama is not descended from slaves, he may feel that he's destined to become a black-slavery avenger.
Or maybe an enslaver of all free citizens!
Posted by: Tony | July 26, 2009 2:42 AM
Or maybe an enslaver of all free citizens!
Posted by: Tony | July 26, 2009 2:42 AM
Guess you bought a brand new set of White Sheets to wear hey Tony? I wonder, ,what kind of fabric softenere do you use to keep your sheets so soft.. IN THE HEAD!! MORON Bigot!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 26, 2009 9:54 AM
Scottie,
And that something negative is always caused by the loons - in this case they want to isolationist when to comes to free trade.
Posted by: Terry | July 26, 2009 3:55 PM
And that something negative is always caused by the loons - in this case they want to isolationist when to comes to free trade.
Posted by: Terry | July 26, 2009 3:55 PM
Oh I see so now you're for NAFTA and all other forms of world wide free trade??? Seems to be a different story everytime with you Terrie. Just shut up and take your 'Holier than thou' attitude to a Palin conference.
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 26, 2009 9:44 PM
Scottie,
Always have been for NAFTA - one of Bill Clinton's accomplishments.
Posted by: Terry | July 26, 2009 10:58 PM
Always have been for NAFTA - one of Bill Clinton's accomplishments.
Posted by: Terry | July 26, 2009 10:58 PM
Right ;-)
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 27, 2009 7:39 PM
Scottie,
That's fact - you know those pesky things. Sow me different
I'm all for trading with the folks that pay for your health care.
Posted by: Terry | July 27, 2009 9:21 PM
I'm all for trading with the folks that pay for your health care.
Posted by: Terry | July 27, 2009 9:21 PM
You,re such an annoying bug. I pay taxes here too which goes towards my health care just like everyone else. AH!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | July 29, 2009 8:29 PM