Southern Asia

But relations between West and Muslim societies important to many
Pakistanis' increasingly sour views of the U.S. in 2011 underscore how difficult it will be for the two nations to reset their relationship.

Among potential threats, respondents are most concerned about terrorism
Nepalese respondents are much more likely to consider Pakistan as posing the greatest threat to South Asian security than Afghanistan or India. Concerns about terrorism overshadow fears about crime, nuclear weapons, and rivalries of India with Pakistan and China.

Many think U.S. should leave Afghanistan, but expect U.S. to stay
Sixty-four percent of Pakistanis who were aware of the U.S. action that resulted in Osama bin Laden's death say it made them have a more negative opinion of the U.S., while 5% say it made them have a more positive opinion.

Those with good jobs less likely to be angry
Amid increasing economic and political instability, Pakistanis were angrier last year than they have been in the past several years. Forty-three percent of Pakistanis polled in May 2010 said they experienced anger a lot the previous day, up from 31% in 2007.

Majority disapprove of Karzai for the first time
Afghans' approval of their country's leadership fell to a record-low 33% in April. Approval of Afghan President Hamid Karzai is also down, to 44%. More Afghans now approve of U.S. leadership than they do their own.

Most still perceive corruption as widespread in government, business
Gallup surveys document some positive momentum in Afghans' views about the level of corruption in their country following the country's election in August 2009. The number of Afghans saying corruption levels were higher than they were five years ago continued to decline, dropping below 50% for the first time.

Image of United States also viewed less favorably
From mid- to late 2009, Afghans’ approval of U.S. leadership declined slightly from 50% to 44%, and they also grew more divided on whether additional U.S. troops would help their security situation.

Just 14% believe they, personally, can “do much” about the environment
Although they are at the forefront of global climate change, the majority of Nepal’s residents have little awareness about global warming and its potential long-term effect on their food and water supply. Even higher percentages believe it is difficult for them to “do much” about the environment.

Residents in South mixed on potential effectiveness
As President Barack Obama mulls whether to commit more troops to Afghanistan, a Gallup survey during the troop buildup earlier this year found nearly half of Afghans (49%) saying additional troops would help stabilize the security situation in the southern provinces. Thirty-two percent said they would not.

Pattern persists across urban/rural areas and by gender
Despite China’s legendary educational system, more Indians (77%) than Chinese (66%) say they are satisfied with their schools -- an important factor as both economic giants continue to grow their well-educated workforces.

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