Obamamania Abroad: The Candidate Can Expect a Warm Welcome in Europe, Not So in the Middle East
By all accounts, Barack Obama will be enthusiastically greeted when he travels to Europe. But his trip will take him into less friendly territory in the Middle East where Muslims remain skeptical about the future of U.S. foreign policy, regardless of who is elected in November.
U.S. Traveler Advisory: Where in the World Is the Welcome Mat Still Out?
The United States has lost much of its global popularity in recent years. Yet trip planners will be glad to know that recent surveys show that the countries that Americans are most likely to visit are, for the most part, countries that like Americans.
Assessing Globalization: Benefits and Drawbacks of Trade and Integration
Enthusiasm for economic globalization has waned considerably over the last few years in many wealthy nations, but survey research suggests that most average citizens around the world embrace the idea of a globalized world, albeit cautiously.
All the World’s a Stage
Iraq, the war on terrorism, support for Israel and other key features of U.S. foreign policy continue to generate animosity toward America in the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere. On the bright side, America seems to be winning the battle of ideas on some important fronts and improving U.S. image problems is not impossible.
Where Trust is High, Crime and Corruption are Low
A Pew Global Attitudes survey finds that social trust varies greatly among countries, but high levels are generally linked to positive social outcomes.
America’s Catholics Occupy a Unique Place in the World of Religion
U.S. Catholics occupy something of a middle ground between their more religious fellow Catholics in the developing world, and the less devout of Europe.
Putin’s Popularity Propels Chosen Successor in Russian Election
Opinion polling — showing a consistent Russian preference for a strong leader over a democratic government — suggests the outcome of Russia’s presidential election is a foregone conclusion.
Global Views on Castro and Cuba
Fidel Castro ends his long tenure as president of Cuba with international opinion mixed on the question of whether his leadership has been good or bad for his country.
Italy’s Malaise: La Vita Non É Cosí Dolce
Taken aback by critical depictions of their country’s “collective funk,” Italians’ spirits are flagging — but not their sense of cultural superiority.
Despite Progress and an Upbeat Pre-Election Mood, Ethnic Conflicts Have Long Worried Many Kenyans
Despite economic progress and an upbeat pre-election mood, a recent Pew poll found greater concern in Kenya about tribal rivalries than in all but two other African nations surveyed.
