Foreign Affairs

Americans See U.S. Military as No. 1 Now, But Not in 20 Yrs

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:15:00 GMT

While 64% of Americans believe the U.S. is the No. 1 military power in the world today, many fewer (36%) believe that the U.S. will be No. 1 militarily in 20 years.

Support for Israel in U.S. at 63%, Near Record High

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMT

For the first time since the Persian Gulf War in 1991, more than 6 in 10 Americans -- 63% -- say their sympathies in the Middle East situation lie more with the Israelis than with the Palestinians. Fifteen percent side more with the Palestinians, down slightly from recent years.

In U.S., Canada Places First in Image Contest; Iran Last

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMT

Americans' perceptions of 20 nations that figure prominently in the news or U.S. foreign policy held quite steady in the first year of the Obama administration. Canada retained its top position in Gallup's annual country ratings, with 90% of Americans viewing it favorably. Iran ranks last with 10%.

Editor in Chief Insights: Events in the News

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMT

Editor in Chief Frank Newport reviews Gallup findings as they relate to recent events in the news.

In U.S., 6 in 10 View Iran as Critical Threat to U.S. Interests

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:15:00 GMT

As Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presses the case for more sanctions on Iran, 61% of Americans say the military power of Iran is a critical threat to U.S. vital interests. Of seven international issues, Americans rank Iran behind only international terrorism (81%) as a threat to the U.S.

Americans See Slight Improvement in U.S. Global Image

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Although 56% of Americans believe foreign leaders respect President Barack Obama and 51% say the U.S. is viewed favorably in the world, far fewer, 35%, are satisfied with the United States’ global position. All three perceptions sank precipitously just before the start of the 2003 Iraq war.

Six in 10 Say Obama Has Spent Too Little Time on Economy

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Six in 10 Americans (60%) say President Barack Obama has not spent enough time on economic problems, 33% say he has spent the right amount of time, and 5% say he has spent too much time. Americans have more mixed assessments of Obama’s time spent on healthcare and foreign policy.

Obama Approval on Economy Down, on Foreign Affairs Up

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:30:00 GMT

President Obama’s job approval rating on the economy (36%) is at its lowest point to date; his rating on foreign affairs (51%) is up slightly from last month. Americans give Obama his highest rating on education (54%), and his lowest on the deficit (32%).

The State of the Union Speech and Public Opinion

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:15:00 GMT

Gallup looks at how a number of key points and policy proposals that President Barack Obama made in his State of the Union address Wednesday night relate to the views of the American people.

Americans Lean Against Letting More Haitians Into U.S.

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:15:00 GMT

The majority of Americans (53%) do not think the U.S. should increase the number of Haitian immigrants it accepts, while 41% think it should. Nearly two-thirds (63%) support keeping U.S. troops and government workers in Haiti until basic services are restored.

Obama Approval on Terrorism Up to 49%

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Americans now tilt more toward approving (49%) than disapproving (46%) of the way Barack Obama is handling terrorism, a slight improvement from before the Christmas Day bombing attempt. Obama’s approval ratings on the economy (40%) and healthcare (37%) are significantly less positive.

Majority of Yemenis See Benefit From Relations With West

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Recent Gallup surveys in Yemen reveal the average Yemeni sees greater interaction between the Muslim world and the West as a benefit (53%) and views the quality of this interaction as personally important (59%).

Gallup.Com Year in Review

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Gallup.Com reviews the most defining findings of 2009.

Obama Approval on Afghanistan, at 35%, Trails Other Issues

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Before President Obama outlined a new U.S. military policy in Afghanistan, Gallup found 35% of Americans approving and 55% disapproving of his handling of the situation there. That rating is down sharply from September, and is his worst of seven issues tested in the poll.

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.