The Gallup Institute has released its latest poll questioning Americans about their opinion on some foreign countries (including the Palestinian Authority).
Some of the results are totally predictable, but others make for interesting reading, particularly when compared with the results for previous years.
The respondents were asked about 23 countries, with the English speaking democracies - Canada Australia and Great Britain- finishing 1-2-3 and Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan at the very bottom of the heap.
Israel is viewed negatively by 24% and positively by 71%, the best ratio since the first Gulf War. Conversely, the Palestinian Authority is viewed unfavorably by 72% and favorably by 19%.
Egypt is the highest-ranked Arab country in the survey; however the Americans are evenly split about Egypt with 47% viewing the country favorably and 47% unfavorably. This is a sharp drop from the Mubarak era. when Egypt was viewed favorably by a majority of Americans. Saudi Arabia is viewed unfavorably by 54% as compared to 42% who view the petro kingdom favorably. The enchantment with Libya was short-lived and the ratios of unfavorability resemble those of the Qaddafi era.
French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, may not have accomplished all that much, but he has succeeded in vastly improving relations with the United States. Americans now give France a 75% favorable rating as compared with the start of the war in Iraq - that France opposed and criticized - when only 34% viewed France favorably and a whopping 64% unfavorably.
Germany, despite failure to support American policy in Libya, maintained its high ratings, coming right after Great Britain.
Anybody reading the responses on Afghanistan and Iraq will understand why politically, if not strategically, it was difficult to maintain the American troop presence in these countries.
Afghanistan was viewed unfavorably by a majority of Americans ever since the country first appeared in the survey in 2002. The best Afghanistan favorability score was 40% in 2005, when it appeared that the Taliban was finished and NATO had succeeded. Then, 40% of Americans viewed Afghanistan favorably, but that figure is down to 14%. This story repeats itself with Iraq, viewed unfavorably by 72% as compared with 24% who view the country favorably.
Favorable sentiment for Pakistan is at its lowest point – 15% -- reflecting the skepticism over Pakistan's role in Afghanistan, as well as its inability to establish a stable government. During the Cold War, Pakistan was the United States' ally, while India was viewed as a neutral, tilting towards the Soviet Union. The roles have been reversed and by 75% to 20%, Americans view India favorably.
The result that appears the most surprising is that Russia's favorability rating is still in the plus column, with a slight decline from one year ago. This probably reflects the fact that the Americans do not perceive Russia as being in competition or as a threat.
In contrast, China is viewed negatively by 56% of the American respondents—a 6% jump in disapproval since last year. This reflects America's growing competition with China and criticism of Chinese economic policies by both the administration and Republicans. This trend may reflect the appreciation that China is not just an economic rival, but a strategic rival. The redeployment of American forces to place greater influence on the Pacific is part and parcel of this trend.