As President Obama prepares to make a major address on the tumultuous changes spreading throughout the Middle East, a new survey finds that the rise of pro-democracy movements has not led to an improvement in America’s image in the region. Instead, in key Arab nations and in other predominantly Muslim countries, views of the U.S. remain negative, as they have been for nearly a decade. Indeed, in Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan, views are even more negative than they were one year ago.
This shouldn’t be a surprise. Here are millions of people standing up against their tyrannical governments, and the major force blocking their success in all but a few cases is vigorous U.S. support for authoritarianism. “And in countries such as Jordan, Lebanon and Pakistan,” the report specifies, “most say their own governments cooperate too much with the U.S.”
About a year ago, in a Brookings Institution poll of opinion in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates, results were quite similar. It showed that Arab populations view the U.S. as the greatest threat to their region, and when asked what policy changes would most improve their opinion of the U.S., the top four responses were an Israel-Palestine peace agreement, withdrawal from Iraq, stopping aid to Israel, and withdrawal from the Arabian Peninsula.
To boot, Reuters reported yesterday that “Almost 90 percent of men polled in contested districts in southern Afghanistan believe foreign military operations are bad for them, according to research by the International Council on Security and Development, or ICOS.” The air of confusion and consternation at this is even more noticeable in the Reuters report than in the Pew report. “Despite battlefield gains against insurgents,” it says, “the U.S. is failing to win over Afghans.” Translation: despite the reign of constant horror, abuse, and embarrassment the U.S. has unleashed on this virtually defenseless country, they still refuse to admire us!
The only people who are believe that the US has “good intentions” are the msn brainwashed people of the western countries. The rest of the world is sick of the two faced American eagle who’s friendship can be more dangerous than being it’s enemy.
Maybe if the US government spent more time LISTENING to our opponents and less time kowtowing to the Israelis we just might eventually get a clue in the matter. Friends will lie to you, sometimes stab you in the back- Israel has shown themselves quite willing to do both of those and more to us…. but if one takes a minute to actually listen to those opposed to you, oftentimes they'll tell you exactly what the problem is and what it will take to resolve it.
More handshakes- less hand grenades.
Well John_muhamid@ Mate are you from Manchester by any chance ?
Translation: despite the reign of constant horror, abuse, and embarrassment the U.S. has unleashed on this virtually defenseless country, they still refuse to admire us!
The state of Israel's idea of a friendship is the USS Liberty
These sections often called rapids, make the fast-flowing water frothy and white in appearance. Though, there are lots of adventurous sports like bungee jumping, paragliding, snowboarding, scuba diving, and many others., these which might be enjoyed with the family and kids are very few.
Kid Sports Hadley