Where we stand today

Before the “war on terror” America was well regarded. We actually had an advantage in the global economy — as a global superpower that had not abused our power (at least not too blatantly) we were by and large looked upon favorably. We had a big stick, and as long as we didn’t use it, we’d keep that image.

Then we made the mistake of actually swinging that big stick. Worse, we missed. Now we are largely regarded as our actions have defined us: A bully nation, one that will go to war for capital gain and, unfortunately, one that doesn’t live up to its image of military might. Our big stick is broken, and our image has been destroyed.

This is reflected in concrete terms in the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project. Published in June, the latest report details how global opinion regarding America has steadily fallen from 2000 through 2006. Great Britain’s 83% favorable opinion regarding the U.S. in 2000 has fallen to 56% in 2006. France’s 62% is now 39%. Germany’s 78% has collapsed to a mere 37%. Only about a quarter of the Spanish public (23%) expresses positive views of the U.S., down from 50% in 2000. And across Indonesia, the worst collapse of all: 30% have favorable opinions regarding the U.S., down from 75% in 2000.

While traveling in India I encountered the results of this global shift in attitude. On more than one occasion it was suggested that I not mention I was from America. “Oh, just say your from England, that would be better.” And this in a country that is currently among the most favorable in its regard of America, where our image also has declined significantly (from 71% in 2005 to 56%).

The latest survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, conducted among nearly 17,000 people in the United States and 14 other nations from March 31-May 14, finds that the U.S.-led war on terror draws majority support in just two countries – India and Russia. In India, support for the U.S.-led war on terror has increased significantly over the past year – from 52% to 65% – even though opinions of the U.S. have grown more negative over that period.

But in most other countries, support for the war on terror is either flat or has declined. In Japan, barely a quarter of respondents (26%) now favor the U.S.-led war on terror, down from 61% in the summer of 2002. Only about four-in-ten Indonesians (39%) back the war on terror, compared with 50% a year ago. And in Spain, the site of a devastating terrorist attack two years ago, four times as many people oppose the war on terror as support it (76% vs. 19%).

The survey shows that the Iraq war continues to exact a toll on America’s overall image and on support for the struggle against terrorism. Majorities in 10 of 14 foreign countries surveyed say that the war in Iraq has made the world a more dangerous place. In Great Britain, America’s most important ally in Iraq, 60% say the war has made the world more dangerous, while just half that number (30%) feel it has made the world safer. — Pew Global Attitudes Project, 2006

In fact, majority opinion among leading European nations (including Britain and Spain) is that the U.S. military presence in Iraq represents a greater danger to stability in the Middle East and world peace than does today’s Iran government.

So, this is where we find ourselves today. A once well-regarded nation, we have fallen in the eyes of the world. No longer are we regarded by the majority of the world as a force for peace and good. In stark contrast, opinion among the majority of countries polled in the Pew study is negative. Think about it for a moment: Opinions regarding our actions are so outstandingly negative that some regard the U.S. as posing a greater threat to peace in the Middle East than the current government of Iran.

I’d say “thank you very much, Mr. Bush,” but the fact is we, the people, let this happen. It’s a mark of shame that this generation will have to bear, and our children’s generation will have to pay for.