Foreign Affairs

More Disapprove Than Approve of Obama on Healthcare

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 GMT

The latest USA Today/Gallup poll finds more Americans disapproving (50%) than approving (44%) of the way Barack Obama is handling healthcare policy. In general, Obama receives higher marks on his handling of international issues than on domestic issues.

Americans Upbeat on Progress in Iraq, Afghanistan

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:15:00 GMT

Americans are more likely now than at any point since 2003 to say things are going well for the U.S. in Iraq, but 58% still say U.S. involvement in Iraq was a mistake. By contrast, 36% say involvement in Afghanistan was a mistake.

Ambassador to Syria Will Face Negative Views of U.S.

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:00 GMT

In working to thaw U.S. relations with Syria, the Obama administration has considerable anti-American sentiment to overcome. In March 2009, 64% of Syrians expressed an unfavorable view of the United States and 71% disapproved of U.S. leadership.

Americans View North Korea as Greater Threat Than Iran

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Fifty-one percent of Americans believe North Korea is a direct threat to U.S. security today, more than say this about Iran (46%), Iraq (35%), or any of the eight countries tested whose political climates or ongoing conflicts present a challenge to U.S. interests in the world.

Americans Remain Skeptical About Middle East Peace

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo comes at a time when only 32% of Americans think Israel and the Arab nations will ever be able to settle their differences and live in peace; 66% disagree.

Americans Still Say Muslims Have Negative View of U.S.

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Eight in 10 Americans believe people in Muslim countries have an unfavorable view of the U.S.; only 13% say such attitudes are positive. Americans’ own views of Muslim countries are also more negative than positive, though to a lesser degree. Both perceptions are little changed since 2002.

Approval of U.S. Leadership Up in Some Arab Countries

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

New Gallup Polls conducted in 11 Arab countries ahead of President Barack Obama’s address to the Muslim world Thursday find approval of U.S. leadership in many cases is still generally low, but ratings in several countries have improved.

Chinese Economy Climbs, but Struggles to Spread Wealth

Thu, 21 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The proportion of Americans who think China is the world’s leading economic power quadrupled between 2000 and 2009. However, in China, relative economic prosperity is offset by a widening wealth gap between urban and rural residents.

Americans On Board With Opening Doors to Cuba

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Americans tend to support improving U.S. relations with Cuba, including 64% who favor making it easier for Americans to travel there.

Americans Steady in Backing Friendlier U.S.-Cuba Relations

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

As President Obama weighs the future of U.S.-Cuba relations, Americans continue to express support for closer ties. Majorities favor easing travel restrictions for all Americans (64%), re-establishing diplomatic relations (60%), and ending the trade embargo (51%).

Americans See Newer Threats On Par With Ongoing Conflicts

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Americans are about as concerned about Iran’s and North Korea’s nuclear capabilities and drug violence in Mexico as they are about the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and international terrorism in general. At least 8 in 10 Americans express some level of concern about each.

Most Americans Concerned About Mexico's Drug Violence

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Roughly 8 in 10 Americans say they are concerned about drug violence in Mexico, including 51% who are very concerned. Americans residing in the Southern and Western parts of the United States express the greatest concern.

Obama Working With 61% Approval on Foreign Affairs

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama began his first multi-stop international trip with 61% of Americans approving of his handling of foreign affairs -- up 7 points since February. His approval rating for handling the economy (56%) is down slightly, though it is higher than his 49% approval for handling the federal deficit.

Americans Remain Critical of the United Nations

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:00:00 GMT

For the seventh straight year, most Americans -- now 65% -- believe the United Nations is doing a “poor job” of addressing the problems it has before it. Only 26% say it is doing a “good job.” Despite this, most still want the organization to have a meaningful role in world affairs.

Americans’ Support for Israel Unchanged Since Gaza Conflict

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:45:00 GMT

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visits Israel and the West Bank this week, 63% of Americans view Israel favorably, contrasted with 73% who view the Palestinian Authority unfavorably. When choosing sides, 59% support Israel vis-à-vis the Palestinians, identical to a year ago.

As British P.M. Visits, Britain Reigns as Top U.S. Ally

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Americans rate Great Britain (36%) just ahead of Canada (29%) when asked to choose which country is the most valuable U.S. ally. More generally, 89% have a favorable opinion of Great Britain, but Prime Minister Gordon Brown -- visiting the White House Tuesday -- is unknown to most Americans.

Americans See Afghanistan War as Still Worth Fighting

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:45:00 GMT

Before President Barack Obama’s decision this week to send additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan, a majority of Americans (52%) perceived the situation there to be going very or moderately badly; 70% thought the Taliban would retake control if U.S. forces withdrew.

Canada Remains Americans’ Most Favored Nation

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Canada is President Barack Obama’s first foreign destination since he took office, and it also happens to be the country Americans view most favorably. Canada’s 90% favorable rating is nearly matched by Great Britain’s 89%. Ratings of Russia and Mexico are trending downward.

Americans More Negative Than Positive About Foreign Trade

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Among the goals for President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as they travel to Canada and Asia this week is to broaden U.S. trade. Americans take a slightly more negative (47%) than positive (44%) view of foreign trade, continuing a trend of the past several years.

Opinion Briefing: Mexico’s War on Drug Traffickers

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Gallup Polls underscore the precarious situation Mexico is facing regarding its stability and rule of law. In 2008, more Mexicans than in 2007 said gangs and drug trafficking are present in their areas, and more than 4 in 10 residents said their country is not politically stable.

No Perceived Gains in U.S. World Standing Post-Bush

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 04:00:00 GMT

As Barack Obama embarks on his first international trip, Gallup’s annual World Affairs poll finds little improvement from last year in the percentage of Americans who are satisfied with the United States’ position in the world (32%) or who think the nation rates favorably in the eyes of the world (45%).

U.S. Surpasses China in Forecast for Economic Powerhouse

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Only 37% of Americans believe the United States is the world’s leading economic power, but this is up from 33% a year ago and erases China’s former lead on this measure. The United States leads China 45% to 34% as the nation Americans say will be the world’s economic leader in 20 years.

Opinion Briefing: U.S. Image in Middle East/North Africa

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration faces an immense task in rebuilding the United States’ brand in the Middle East/North Africa, where the regional median approval of U.S. leadership is 15%. Gallup Polls suggest Obama’s plan to expedite withdrawal from Iraq could help improve some residents’ opinions.

Opinion Briefing: Latin America’s Leftists

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:00:00 GMT

It bodes well for Barack Obama’s goal of strengthening ties in Latin America that Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is no more popular overall in the region than U.S. leadership has been. However, any Latin America policy should recognize that the region’s leftward tilt has the legitimacy of public support.

Americans Not Pressing for Bigger Role in Gaza Conflict

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Only 33% of Americans say the Bush administration should step up its response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict raging in the Gaza Strip. Also, 75% say Barack Obama should wait until he’s sworn in to voice his position on the matter.