From Hyperpower to Declining Power
Changing Global Perceptions of the U.S. in the Post-Sept. 11 Era
Commentary
Analysis and research-driven commentary tied to poll findings and developments in the news
09.07.11
03.31.11
Upbeat Chinese Public May Not Be Primed for a Jasmine Revolution
Judging the Chinese appetite for democracy is not easy, but polling suggests China may not be ripe for the kind of uprisings seen throughout the Middle East.
03.08.11
Will Enthusiasm for Democracy Endure in Egypt and Elsewhere?
Pro-democracy movements in Tunisia and Egypt recall the wave of democratization that took place two decades ago in Eastern Europe. The experience of Eastern Europe is a useful reminder that public enthusiasm for democracy is not guaranteed as political change extends over years and decades.
01.31.11
Egypt, Democracy and Islam
Majorities of Egyptian Muslims believe that democracy is preferable to any other kind of government, and by wide margins, Muslims in Egypt say that Islam plays a positive role in their country’s politics.
08.27.10
Obama’s Middle East Problem
While global publics largely take a positive view of President Obama, he receives his lowest marks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – and his ratings are especially poor in the Arab nations of the Middle East.
05.19.10
Czechs’ Commitment to Free Markets and Democracy Stays Strong Amidst Troubled Economic and Political Waters
With an election approaching, Czechs are unhappy with conditions in their country and frustrated with the way democracy is working, but are committed to free market economics and democratic values.
04.07.10
Hungary Dissatisfied with Democracy, but Not Its Ideals
With parliamentary elections approaching, Hungarians are dissatisfied with their economy and with the current state of democracy in their country. However, they still value democratic rights and institutions.
03.29.10
Ukraine Says ‘No’ to NATO
New Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s move to ban Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO is not without a base of public support.
03.18.10
Indonesia: The Obama Effect
President Barack Obama’s popularity has transformed America’s image in Indonesia. However, the world’s largest predominantly Muslim country is an outlier in the Muslim world, where opinions of the U.S. remain mostly negative.
03.05.10
Reviving America’s Global Image
In a briefing for a congressional subcommittee, Andrew Kohut describes the rise of anti-Americanism over the last decade, its sharp decline after Obama’s election and the reasons why this improving trend may be fragile.
01.20.10
The Post-Communist Generation in the Former Eastern Bloc
Members of the post-communist generation offer much more positive evaluations of the political and economic changes their countries have undergone over the past two decades than do those who were adults when communism collapsed.
01.14.10
Ukraine’s National Election – a Problem of Democracy?
With an election approaching, Ukrainians are unhappy with conditions in their country, and most are frustrated with the way democracy is working.
01.12.10
Widespread Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Italy
More than 1,000 immigrants have been evacuated from southern Italy after a recent wave of violence against African farm workers. Surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project find that anti-immigrant sentiment is widespread
12.17.09
Little Support for Terrorism Among Muslim Americans
Recent events have raised questions about the threat of homegrown terrorism in the U.S., but survey results show that Muslim Americans overwhelmingly reject extremism.
12.03.09
Negative Views of U.S. Unchanged in Turkey
While overall ratings for the U.S. have improved throughout much of the world, in Turkey they remain dismal. Still, there are modest signs of a potential for improvement.
12.02.09
Global Warming Seen as a Major Problem Around the World Less Concern in the U.S., China and Russia
Publics around the world see climate change as a major problem, and many are willing to make sacrifices to address global warming and the environment. But nations are split on which country should lead on this issue.
11.18.09
Europeans and Americans Share Concerns About Iran’s Nuclear Program
Europeans and Americans share concerns about Iran’s emergent nuclear capabilities, though Russians are less worried.
11.12.09
Obama Popular in Japan, China and South Korea
Opinion of Obama is largely positive in Japan, China and South Korea, but improvements in U.S. image are modest compared with much of the world
11.11.09
The Extremist Threat in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Americans and Western Europeans agree on the extremist threat from Afghanistan and Pakistan, but divisions remain over the Afghan war
10.09.09
Obama’s Nobel Prize
The Peace Prize award is another sign of the president’s international appeal; his election lifted America’s image around the globe
09.21.09
Obama Addresses More Popular U.N.
Opinion of the U.N. has grown more positive since 2007 in many countries, and nowhere have favorable ratings improved as much as in the U.S.
09.14.09
U.S. Image Improved in Canada
America’s ratings have risen north of the border, but differences persist over Afghanistan and U.S. economic influence
09.10.09
Rejection of Extremism
Many fewer among Muslim publics express confidence in bin Laden or support violence against civilians in defense of Islam
08.31.09
Few in NATO Want More Troops in Afghanistan
Troop increases may face considerable opposition in many NATO countries, which were opposed to Obama?s original call for more forces
07.31.09
Obamamania Missing in Muslim World
Only Modest Changes in U.S. Image in Predominantly Muslim Countries
03.31.09
Obama Unlikely to Find a Quick Fix for U.S. Image
President Will Face Challenges on Economic Crisis, Other Issues
Highlights