Gallup: Arab Nations’ Views of US Slightly Less Negative Under President Obama
EmailGallup reports that slightly fewer citizens of Arab nations disapprove of the US under President Obama than during the reign of his predecessor.
In Egypt, for instance, last May US leadership enjoyed a 6% approval rating. In March it registered at 25%.
Gallup writes it up this way: "President Barack Obama may find audiences in many Arab countries more willing to listen when he addresses the Muslim world Thursday from Cairo, Egypt. New Gallup Polls conducted in 11 Arab countries show that although approval of U.S. leadership remains generally low, ratings are up in 8 countries including Egypt. Throughout much of President George W. Bush's second term, Gallup found U.S. leadership approval ratings in many Arab countries at times in the single digits and among the lowest in the world."
Interestingly, many of those polled may be holding off before making a conclusion. In Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen, the percentage of respondents answering "don't know/refused" increased significantly.
In Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories, approval of the US is actually lower now than under President Bush, dipping from 13% to 7% in the Palestinian Territories and from 25% to 22% in Lebanon.
- jpt
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Maybe the Arab countries are smarter than the U.S. population.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 2, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Mission accomplished! Now let’s move on to health care.
Posted by: vinman | June 2, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
How can they not admire a US president that is willing to bow at their feet?
Posted by: max | June 2, 2009, 9:40 am 9:40 am
you guys are so right,.. Obama has not fixed all the conflicts throughout entire mid-east …
you would think that after 4+ months he would straightened out Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Gaza, Palestinians, and the rest….
we should bring back Bush & Cheney’s foreign policy,and Rumsfeld, it worked soooo well for 8 years…
Posted by: postman | June 2, 2009, 9:57 am 9:57 am
postman
we could go back to 1945.. or the crusades.. if we want to look for bad guys contributing to this conflict..
you are right, he didn’t cause these problems.. he set himself up for all of this during the primary election campaign.. saying that he had the new path forward.. a path that only he could follow (with the help of his primary competitor..as S.ofS.)
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 2, 2009, 10:06 am 10:06 am
The muslim world will love us when we do two things…
Drop all support for Israel and condemn them for thier past aggression on Arabs.
Denounce Christianity and proclaim Islam as the true faith of the world.
Do that and they’ll jump for joy in the streets for the US.
Posted by: KR | June 2, 2009, 10:14 am 10:14 am
Somehow the conservative nutjobs will spin this a horrible development. This poll is a major step in the right direction of U.S. foreign policy and will mean we will be safer in the future under the president.
Posted by: matt | June 2, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
“Somehow the conservative nutjobs will spin this a horrible development.”
I’m not spinning this as a horrible development. I posted below exactly what will make them love the U.S. You can evaluate that as you see fit, but its pretty common knowledge with anyone who knows their culture and the underpinning issues they have with the US. The majority of Muslims will never have any love for the US until we remove support for Isreal and proclaim Islam the true faith. It isn’t rocket science. It’s their belief.
Posted by: KR | June 2, 2009, 10:32 am 10:32 am
How can they not admire a US president that is willing to bow at their feet?
Posted by: max | Jun 2, 2009 9:40:54 AM
******************************
Good question since Bush had to bow to accept the Saudi kings necklace, kissed the man and held his hand. I don’t think it did much good.
btw – this is an old, ridiculous, overhyped talking point.
Posted by: Padma | June 2, 2009, 10:43 am 10:43 am
“Good question since Bush had to bow to accept the Saudi kings necklace, kissed the man and held his hand. I don’t think it did much good.”
Cultural respect. It all comes down to the specifics. Bowing is common, it depends on how you bow. If you tip your head and look at the ground, your giving respect to a higher authority. If you bow and maintain eye contact, your showing respect but also demanding it. Holding hands is a sign of equal friendship, as is the traditional kissing in Saudi Culture. Bush was carefully coached on those matters, as are all Presidents. However, Obama has been either mis-led or ill-advised on some of his overseas encounters on displaying himself, at the very least, an equal. And is some cases, such as Chavez, demanding the respect of our nation.
He’s made some mistakes, as do all Presidents. Most importantly, will he learn from them? We’ll see over time.
Posted by: KR | June 2, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
Re today’s BBC interview-
Obama added that there is a danger “when the United States, or any country, thinks that we can simply impose these values on another country with a different history and a different culture.”
I couldn’t agree more.
But it is somewhat hypocritical to say that when he and his own followers try and impose liberal ‘human rights’ standards,’women’s rights’, contraceptive ‘family planning’ programs,’transgender equality’, etc. on the Muslim world.
Posted by: J House | June 2, 2009, 11:01 am 11:01 am
KR- The main contention of Islam, from what I gather out of the Koran, is that there are Christians who say they are people of God and do ungodly things, and are not true believers. Of course, we obviously have a bone to pick with extreme muslims on that now, too. Second, many Christian doctrines proclaim that the Father, Son, and holy Spirit are three persons, which to many Muslims is blasphemous, seeing as Muhammad left them with the message that all who say God is One and Holy are believers. That also is grounds for discussion, since Christ, whose teachings they also believe, said that he is One in the Father, and the Father is one in him. Some Christians deify Christ as One with God, and say of the Trinity, that God is One, but to us, three, etc. My view of my main contention with radical Islam is that to ‘kill’ a man for God is to make a friend of an enemy, or to show compassion and love to an unbeliever, and that we shouldn’t be shedding blood over trying to understand among us what God wants to share with us.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 2, 2009, 11:16 am 11:16 am
Mark,
You are correct, I simplified it for the understanding impaired. The issues astute Muslims have with astute Christians spans over the practice and belief. Christ is seen as a prophet to Islam and Judiasm, while Christians see him as the Son of God, or God in mans form.
I went to a private Christian college and have debated with theologians over some of these issues. I think that the trinity seen as 3 seperate entities is not correct. The Holy Spirit, as I believe, is not a separate entitiy within you, its your spiritual divotion to God. Christ is another debate. Some believe he was God, made man to walk among us. Others believe the son of God, a new spiritual entitiy, like a super prophet. The second has credence based on the words of Christ on the cross, “Oh Father, why have you foresaken me?”, would lead credence to him being a second entity. A debate I even stumped some theologians on.
But the basic belief is unchanged, Christ was a divine being to be our savior. What is not in debate is how drastically he changed the world over the last 2,000 years, giving credibility to his prophecies.
The commonality in all three religions is the belief in one supreme being, they practice different ways of observing that. There is however, little question, based on prosperity of civilization, which faith over time would be considered having God’s blessings of power and riches. That would be the nations of Christ. This is of course contriversial, but history does not lie. Western Christian nations are rich and powerful, under all 3 religions these are seen as God’s blessings.
Bin Laden himself proclaims that this is God’s punishment of Muslims for straying from the faith. That God blessed western nations with riches and power to punish Muslims.
All of it interesting debate.
Posted by: KR | June 2, 2009, 11:36 am 11:36 am
MarkLeavenworth | Jun 2, 2009 11:16:52 AM
I don’t get your point buddy? To us believers yes if you had only searched the scriptures a bit deeper you would understand that indeed Christ is God and the Holy Spirit is God and yet we have the God head, the Father of all creation in whom the whole earth and the heavens is named in Him(Ephesians 3;14), read the book of John and Collosians, it delves deeper into who Christ is.
I know for some it is an irreconciable doctrine in light of their faith in other religions but just like we always say, You can never understand the Bible until the Spirit of God gives you revelation. simple, it’s not my business to assess Islam, all i know is Christ is the only way to salvation
Posted by: Benjamin | June 2, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
J House – But it is somewhat hypocritical to say that when he and his own followers try and impose liberal ‘human rights’ standards,’women’s rights’, contraceptive ‘family planning’ programs,’transgender equality’, etc. on the Muslim world.
————————-
Exactly what are “liberal” human rights standards? Human rights are human rights! Woman’s rights, yes. If you ever took the time to read the Koran, you would know that nothing the radicals (ie Taliban) have imposed on women is contained in it. Women in these countries started the push back. Did you know that women in Iraq have lost more freedom since we invaded? Kidnap, rape and murder of women is up! As for the rest of your absurd list, please show me with facts that we are “imposing” these on Muslim countries!
Posted by: Try the Truth | June 2, 2009, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
I’m sure Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc. are pinching themselves with glee. Obama is inaugurated in January and the first thing he does is go on Al Arabiya and apologize to the Muslim world. The next month he goes to Europe had apologizes for Americas exceptionalism. Now he says Iran’s nuclear aspirations “are legitimate”, while Israeli school children hide under desks in a nationwide drill necessitated by the possibility that Obama’s policies might be successful.Thank you Robert Wexler for reassuring Jews in a synagogue in Florida that Obama was Israels best friend. I am sure they will be tossing candy next week when Obama apologizes for 911!
Posted by: pauldia | June 2, 2009, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm
“Somehow the conservative nutjobs will spin this a horrible development. This poll is a major step in the right direction of U.S. foreign policy and will mean we will be safer in the future under the president.”
===================================
matt,
Interesting extrapolation. Because of a that poll we are safe from 75% of the people in those countries that still dont like us. I’ ll tell you what, you wait for that poll to come out after Obama ramps it up and gets really dirty in Afghanistan.
There are still many people who hate our country no matter who is sitting in the White House. Better get used to that fact. It has nothing to do with Republican, Democrat, intelligence tactics, or where in the world our soldiers are deployed.
Posted by: Mike_C | June 2, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
oh, one thing to add to this little discussion.
Exactly how many terrorists and people who would be those planning and executing acts of violence against us – Actually Participated in this poll ?
Is it nice news, yes, but that is all it is. Any attempt to extrapolate that somehow we are “safer” because of this is childish at best.
Posted by: Mike_C | June 2, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
Who payed for this poll and was it preformed in Michigan Arab neighborhoods?
Sounds like ACORN had a hand in this. Either way, who cares?
Posted by: American Infidel | June 2, 2009, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
I am an Arab and a Muslim.. And it cracks me up seeing this report eating you up inside…
Posted by: Crack | June 2, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
This information would be more meaningful if we had numbers from the same sort of poll as taken during Bush’s first year (the year of 9/11) and throughout Clinton’s time in office (when 9/11 was being planned).
I’m just making a wild guess, but I bet the numbers would be very similar to Obama’s honeymoon numbers. So basically, I’m not impressed in any way.
Posted by: paul | June 2, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
“There are still many people who hate our country no matter who is sitting in the White House.”
So because of that, the right wing response is to question why we bother talking to those who are not dead set against us?
Is the GOP’s big New idea to switch from being the party of no to the party of why bother?
Posted by: Ryan C | June 2, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm
But in addition to agreeing that God is One and Holy (unless some Christians contest that for discussion) is that for Muslims and Christians, we also hold that God is personal and loving, and is at times jealous and angry, etc. In this way, Christians and Muslims view ourselves as having these personal and emotional attributes because God had them, and imparts them to us, but on the other side of that are humanists who say that God is an impersonal devine being and we only project ourselves, or ‘anthropomorphize’ God to be like us. That’s a big difference with both humanists/socialsts and communists who hold that the highest good is the good of the state and goodness for goodness sake, whereas Christians and Muslims both hold that it is possible to bring destruction or to suffer for God’s sake, because His purpose to us is higher and more than the earth and ourselves, whereas these others do not owe allegiance to other than themsleves or the good of the state.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 2, 2009, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
Try,
I have read the Koran.I live part time in an Islamic country.
If you are trying to argue that the West and its NGOs have not tried to impose liberal, secular cultural change on Muslim countries, good luck.
‘Women have lost more freedom in Iraq since we invaded?”
Wow…you have no idea what women were subjected to in Saddam’s ‘republic of fear’.
If you have the chance to go to Iraq (I have), go to Hilla or Halabja and ask what rights the women, children and men had when Saddam unleashed on them and please, check out the mass graves there.
Posted by: J House | June 2, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
“yesterday while the MSM was crying over Tiller they were mum over the recent Muslim convert that killed our solider”
Perhaps because the much more publically known Tiller’s murder was celebrated by the right wing while as the soldier was mourned by all.
“or the 4 men (Muslim converts from prison) that tried to bomb several Jewish buildings.”
Yes imagine that, investigating and stopping terrorist attacks.
If only Bush was paying attention while on vacation in Aug 2001.
“remember that, and it’s happening on OBama’s watch.”
Posted by: Ryan C | June 2, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm
Radical Islamists going back to the 14th century can justify defensive jihad…our army is occupying Muslim land on the Saudi penin, Iraq, Afghan, etc.
Then, our unquestioned support for Israel and the corrupt gulf kingdoms only further inflames them.
They don’t need G’mo,’torture’ or any other reason.
It is justification enough for them to continue to attack us.
Posted by: J House | June 2, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm
So, what office is the POTUS running for in the Arab states..
I know, he’s running for: Building Code Inspector for the Israeli settlement edifices.. he will just disapprove all of their building permits..
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | June 2, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
“Gallup reports that slightly fewer citizens of Arab nations disapprove of the US under President Obama than during the reign of his predecessor.”
And of this we Americans should be proud? I think not. I never found it at all worthy to be loved or even liked by those who have made brutality towards women, children and those less able to defend themselves a religious belief system and a way of life. BB
Posted by: Brenda Bowers | June 2, 2009, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
“Perhaps because the much more publically known Tiller’s murder was celebrated by the right wing while as the soldier was mourned by all. ”
Personally I haven’t seen any celebration by the “right wing”, but I haven’t been looking. To me it smells of left wing fantasy. I find it difficult to believe that any mass populace in any political spectrum would celebrate a murder like that. The one exception would be the masses of some muslims dancing in the streets after 911, but even that was small scale in relation to the overall Muslim population who denounced it.
Doesn’t mean any whackjobs out there didn’t, but I would bet conservatives on the whole would denounce it just as liberals would denounce Bill Ayers…
Posted by: KR | June 2, 2009, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
Ok,
Posted by: Bill | June 2, 2009, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
As 1 of OUR soldiers are KILLED in an army recruiting center(and 1 seriosly injured)ONCE AGAIN WE ARE CONCERNED W/ WHAT THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY THINKS OF THE UNITED STATES!!!
Posted by: chris | June 2, 2009, 11:03 pm 11:03 pm
” ….In Egypt, for instance, last May US leadership enjoyed a 6% approval rating. In March it registered at 25%…….”
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I wonder what a poll of US Citizens would give to Egypt for their Leadership? I would say about a -10. All Obummer has to do is bow deeply, kiss their ring and tell them what a bunch of arrogant, derisive pigs we are and they will love us. Yeah, right! This Amateur Hour Oracle has a lot to learn.
Mitt Romney – 2012
Posted by: Sunnyr | June 2, 2009, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
All of my fields are in order. All of my gardens are in rows. My forging furnace is covered and my hardwood timber is stored. The vinyard is well pruned and loaded. But this evening, in the corner of the yard, there I noticed some wild oats were raised very high. In the wind, on the vast length of their delicate stalks they swayed and greeted me. Their casings opened like the wings of doves. Their seeds long since cast, there purpose on earth long since gone. Yet still, their beauty no man could deny, their purpose in heaven not yet fulfilled.
Posted by: MarkLeavenworth | June 3, 2009, 12:12 am 12:12 am
KR
re: “I haven’t seen any celebration by the “right wing”, but I haven’t been looking. To me it smells of left wing fantasy. I find it difficult to believe that any mass populace in any political spectrum would celebrate a murder like that.
celebrating murder? why just
mosey on over to the Army Of God website and peruse to your hearts content….
for more good clean fun…..
and of course there’s the not too sane folks over at Westboro baptist, who like to show up at the funerals of our brave military and scream that the fallen deserved to die, and they were an affront to god….
let that sink in for a sec… these folks are so fringe that they protest the funerals of our military.
Posted by: postman | June 3, 2009, 12:14 am 12:14 am
you are right, he didn’t cause these problems.. he set himself up for all of this during the primary election campaign.. saying that he had the new path forward..
DontGet818OnMeNow
just saw your post…..
for many years, leaders around the world including America have tried the same approach towards Israel & ‘the Arabs’…… the conflict remains the same, with the only thing changing being newer an more powerful weapons… I don’t know if Obama can do any better…… but I’ll give him or anyone else props for trying something different….
Posted by: Postman | June 3, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am