Tuesday, January 23, 2007
America: "Mission Accomplished" to Troop Surge
May 1, 2003. That was when President Bush appeared on the deck of the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Above him, the tower of the carrier displayed a large sign that read "Mission Accomplished". The "Mission" was Iraq. Now, almost 45 months later, as the president's latest strategy for victory by a surge in number of troops is underway, publication of "A BBC International opinion poll" reveals what the world thinks. There is very little in it to make us feel good but we can take consolation from the fact that the opinions are a reflection on the Bush Administration and its policies, not the American people.
View of US's global role 'worse' (BBC)
The view of the US's role in the world has deteriorated both internationally and domestically, a BBC poll suggests.
The World Service survey, conducted in 25 nations including the US, found that three in four respondents disapproved of how Washington had dealt with Iraq.
The majority of the 26,381 respondents also disapproved of the way five other foreign policy areas had been handled.
The poll, released ahead of President Bush's State of the Union speech, was conducted between November and January.
The number of those who said the US was a positive influence in the world fell in 18 nations polled in previous years.
In those countries, 29% of people said the US had a positive influence, down from 36% last year and 40% two years ago.
Across the 25 countries polled, 49% of respondents said the US played a mainly negative role in the world.
In Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines and the US most of those polled said they thought America had a positive role.
But among Americans, the number of those who viewed their country's role positively fell to 57% - six percentage points down from last year and 14 percentage points down from two years ago.
Mid-East role
Respondents were also asked about the Bush administration's handling of six areas of foreign policy:
- The war in Iraq: an average of 73% of respondents disapproved (57% in the US). Disapproval was strongest in Argentina and France, while people in Nigeria, Kenya and the Philippines were more likely to approve.
- Detainees in Guantanamo: 67% disapproved (50% in the US). Backing for America on this issue was highest in Nigeria, where 49% approved.
- Israeli-Hezbollah war: Washington's role met with approval from respondents in Nigeria and Philippines, but on average 65% disapproved across the 25 countries (50% in the US).
- Iran's nuclear programme: again, support for US actions appeared strongest in Kenya (62%), Nigeria (53%) and the Philippines (52%). But, overall 60% of respondents disapproved (50% in the US).
- Global warming: more than 80% of respondents in Argentina, France and Germany disapproved compared to 56% overall (54% in the US). But the White House had 50% or more support among those polled in Nigeria, Kenya, the Philippines and South Korea.
- North Korea's nuclear programme: opposition to US policy was strongest among respondents in Argentina and Brazil. On average across the 25 countries 54% disapproved (43% in the US).
When asked about US military presence in the Middle East, an average of 68% of respondents across the 25 countries answered that it "provokes more conflict than it prevents".
SEE THE FULL SURVEY
A second report in the BBC analyses the findings of the poll. 'Listen more' is world's message to US
