US international reputation considerably declining - Political Forum

Sebelius for VP, not Hillary · 06-28-2007, 01:44 AM

I was surprised to read in this article that most countries in the world still view the US favorably, however I think it is interesting to note the decline in good feelings towards the US in Europe and even more important to note the decline in feelings towards the US in our key Muslim allies in Pakistan and Jordan. The decline in Turkey is also significant. I think that we will have serious problems if our relations with Muslims do not improve. Muslim statesmen who are willing to cooperate with the US will eventually fall if the public has a poor view of the US.

I think the bad feelings from Europe will diminish after Bush is gone.

Poll says distrust of U.S. is growing - Yahoo! News

Quote:

Poll says distrust of U.S. is growing
By ALAN FRAM, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Unease with American foreign policy and President Bush has intensified in countries that are some of the closest U.S. allies and around the globe, while Russia and China also face growing international wariness, a survey released Wednesday said.

Support for the U.S.-led war in Iraq, the NATO military action in Afghanistan and worldwide American efforts against terrorism have dropped since 2002, according to an international survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center. Views of the U.S. in much of the Muslim world remain particularly negative. In one measure of Bush's unpopularity, the poll showed he is less trusted on foreign policy than Russian President Vladimir Putin by allies Britain, Germany and Canada, even as faith in Putin has plummeted. About half in the U.S. say they have little or no trust in either leader's conduct of foreign affairs.

Bush's sagging numbers partly reflect widespread opposition to the U.S. war in Iraq. Of the countries surveyed — which included the U.S. — more people favored the removal of American forces from Iraq in all but Israel, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. "Even though there is a mixed view of the United States around the world, there is increasing disapproval of the principal cornerstones of our foreign policy," said Pew President Andrew Kohut.

Speaking at the Islamic Center of Washington on Wednesday, Bush accused religious extremists in the Middle East of seeking to fan anti-American sentiment. "This enemy falsely claims that America is at war with Muslims and the Muslim faith, when in fact it is these radicals who are Islam's true enemy," he said. The poll covered 46 nations plus the Palestinian territories.

The U.S. is still seen favorably in most countries surveyed, including India, Japan, Italy, Israel and many countries in Africa. American culture and technology are widely admired, and many believe a better life can be had by moving to the U.S. Yet wide-ranging majorities think the U.S. does not consider their interests when formulating foreign policy; worry that U.S. customs are hurting their countries; and think the U.S. contributes to the gap between rich and poor nations.

As the U.S. has waged its war on terrorism over the past five years, its overall image has worsened. It has dropped from 75 percent favorable in Britain in 2002 to 51 percent now; from 60 percent to 30 percent in Germany; and from 64 percent to 56 percent in Mexico. Views of the U.S. have also slipped in Russia, Indonesia, Canada, China and India. The U.S. is seen favorably by 9 percent in NATO ally Turkey, the lowest of any country measured; 13 percent in the Palestinian territories; and by 15 percent in Pakistan and 20 percent in Jordan, both terror-war partners.

Though Putin is popular in Russia, his worldwide image has declined. Only in China, Ukraine and a handful of African nations did most express trust in his foreign policy. Views of Russia are mixed, with slightly favorable opinions in the U.S., China, India and South Korea. Majorities in most European countries express worries about reliance on Russian energy, following last year's Russian cutoff of natural gas to Ukraine during a clash over prices.

Though more than half the nations polled have positive views of China, its image has widely worsened. China is seen most favorably by countries in Africa and Latin America, where its trade has recently grown, and in Asia, though two-thirds in regional rival Japan view it negatively. Majorities in most countries think China's economic growth is good for them, with concerns expressed in Western Europe and India. Unease with Beijing's military was wider spread, with majorities in most countries surveyed expressing worries — notably neighbors Japan and South Korea, much of Europe and the U.S.

The report also found:

_Concern over environmental issues has grown more than any other world problems the poll tested. The U.S. was viewed as the primary culprit by far, trailed distantly by China.

_37 percent in the U.S. named the environment as a major concern — less than in any other advanced nation surveyed.

_The spread of nuclear weapons and ethnic hatred were the two most often cited worries in the Middle East. For sub-Saharan Africa, it was AIDS and other diseases, and the gap between rich and poor.

_While views of American people have gotten worse in many countries, they are generally better liked than the U.S. itself.

The polling was conducted last April and May, in most countries by face-to-face interviews, some by telephone and some using both methods.

The number of people interviewed in each country ranged from 500 to 3,142, with the margin of sampling error ranging from plus or minus 2 to 4 percentage points. Most of the surveys were national, though in eight nations — Bolivia, Brazil, Venezuela, Pakistan, China, India, Ivory Coast and South Africa — they were mostly or completely urban.

Brother Oz · 06-28-2007, 10:21 AM

I think that European hostility towards America will reduce once Bush is gone, but won't disappear. It depends to an extent on who replaces him.

Slartibartfas · 06-28-2007, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Oz

I think that European hostility towards America will reduce once Bush is gone, but won't disappear. It depends to an extent on who replaces him.

I agree. It will certainly good for the relations when Bush will be gone. But the relations could be already beyond repairable. At least when it comes to public sentiments.

Sebelius for VP, not Hillary · 06-28-2007, 01:55 PM

I'd be interested in the next President and congress doing something to really improve relations with Europe. Offering them a gift, work of art, or a medal. I'd say go for donating a work of art and a donation to some scientific research in Europe. That might win some hearts and minds back.

WEB

Sebelius for VP, not Hillary · 06-28-2007, 02:00 PM

Totally agree, but I think we should really offer a gift though. We have to show Europe that we are their friends and partners. We have to show a gesture of good will and friendship, to replace the hatred and rivalry that has occurred in the past few years.

nightfire · 06-28-2007, 02:07 PM

At first, sign no-visa-required (hey, how to name that correctly?..) agreements with some new EU countries - that would certainly help. At least at the level of the "masses".

Regarding Muslim countries - something is already being done about that.

nightfire · 06-28-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neorealist234

I don't know about the NO visa requirement....that seems like an easy way for possible terrorists to exploit.

Well, they do have such agreements with most countries in Western Europe - and terrorists are much more likely to come from there, not from Poland or Estonia, for example.

nightfire · 06-28-2007, 02:26 PM

Just take a quick look at this.

We could talk about work permits, exchange programs etc... There are a lot of unexplored opportunities for USA in Europe.

Tim · 06-28-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slartibartfas

I agree. It will certainly good for the relations when Bush will be gone. But the relations could be already beyond repairable. At least when it comes to public sentiments.

If the hatred of Americans is so intense it cannot be repaired, then there is not other choice but isolation.

In that case, those who hate need to stop projecting on to Americans and start looking at themselves.

Tim · 06-28-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfire

At first, sign no-visa-required (hey, how to name that correctly?..) agreements with some new EU countries - that would certainly help. At least at the level of the "masses".

....

Perhaps - but the environmental issue is also a major obstacle. It has turned into a secualr substitute for religion, and the statement is cause for concern: Concern over environmental issues has grown more than any other world problems the poll tested. The U.S. was viewed as the primary culprit by far, trailed distantly by China.

There is a strong element of fantasy in this, and illusion is always very dangerous. The idea that Americans are villains is absurd, but logic and rational thinking are helpless against irrational hatred.