Israel, Iran top 'negative list'

[Lebanese_Nationalist]

A majority of people believe that Israel and Iran have a mainly negative influence in the world, a poll for the BBC World Service suggests.


It shows that the two countries are closely followed by the United States and North Korea.

The poll asked 28,000 people in 27 countries to rate a dozen countries plus the EU in terms of whether they have a positive or negative influence.

Canada, Japan and the EU are viewed most positively in the survey.

'Traditional divides'

In January, the BBC World Service revealed polling results that suggested most people think the US has a mainly negative influence in the world - and that the numbers had increased significantly in the last couple of years.

This latest GlobeScan survey, mostly of the same people, confirms those findings.

But it also suggests that two countries are viewed even more negatively - first Israel, and then Iran.

North Korea is just behind the US.


BBC WORLD SERVICE POLL
Most negative image:
1. Israel - 56%
2. Iran - 54%
3. US - 51%
4. North Korea - 48%

Israel, of course, has long provoked sharp international reactions, and last year was involved in a controversial war in Lebanon.

Iran and North Korea have both been at the centre of international disputes over their nuclear programmes.

Canada, Japan, and the EU are viewed most positively, perhaps because they have all taken less high-profile roles in the world's recent confrontations.

India is one country in the survey that seems to have improved its standing in the last year.

In general, opinion seems to divide along the traditional fault lines of international politics.

Israel is viewed most negatively in the Muslim countries of the Middle East, although also in Europe.

Iran is viewed most positively in the Muslim world.

Japan is generally viewed positively, except in China and South Korea.

The EU similarly gets good marks, except most notably in Turkey, and also in parts of the Middle East.



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I was surprised at this report for a few reasons. First of all, I can understand why countries such as Canada and Japan can get a more positive rating than the US; however, what really surprised me is the fact that China is regarded more positively than the US. I guess some people think the massacre of Tianemen Square and the harvesting of organs from live prisoners is a good thing.

[Evolution]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6421597.stm

[Abufijli]

Yes Leb Natio, most people view the US's invasions and massacre of over 600 000 people as more important than the tianemen square massacre. Rightly, guess you are in the minority in the world. Time to jump ship.

[Libnene Qu7]

This poll doesn't surprise me at all. It makes perfect sense, even the way people view the US. It's unfortunate that people around the world view a great country such as America in this way, but how can one deny the fact that a lot of our woes in the region stem from a moron US president currently, and from unconditional support for Israel historically.

[Lebanese_uk]

This proves that people are not fooled with the 'democracy' rubbish the usa and it's satellite israel spout.

[Pasteur]

Originally Posted by Abufijli

Yes Leb Natio, most people view the US's invasions and massacre of over 600 000 people as more important than the tianemen square massacre. Rightly, guess you are in the minority in the world. Time to jump ship.

Not to mention that in almost every country in the world, and unlike china, US interfers in the decision making of the country, support a part of the country facing others, and spreads terror and weapons all over the world.
China might be awful to its people, US is awful to all the world!

[Lebanese_Nationalist]

Originally Posted by Abufijli

Yes Leb Natio, most people view the US's invasions and massacre of over 600 000 people as more important than the tianemen square massacre. Rightly, guess you are in the minority in the world. Time to jump ship.

It was not US soldiers who killed all those people. It was terrorists imported from neighbouring Arab countries and Iraqi Shi'ite death squads sponsored by Iran. I guess the majority are ignorant.

[Pasteur]

Originally Posted by Lebanese_Nationalist

It was not US soldiers who killed all those people. It was terrorists imported from neighbouring Arab countries and Iraqi Shi'ite death squads sponsored by Iran. I guess the majority are ignorant.

Seems you are smarter than the majority!
The incidents that occured in Iraq in the past few months showed clearly that these terrorists always act in a time that suits Bush's adminstration or as a consequence to Iraqi resistance operations...Whenever there is an erlection in US or a resolution that needs to be passed in the congress, Zawaheri jumps to TV and starts threatening, or a series of deadly explosions occur in Baghdad. I seriously doubt that terrorists and Death squads are influenced by Iran and Syria's interest's! Unless Ahmadinajad is US TOP secret official?!? hmmmmmmm, who knows?

[freak]

I am surprised of US results.. Its funny and inaccurate. Lets ask why? (30% viewed the US favourably)

Lebanon was one of the countries which took part.. Where in Lebanon did they conduct the survey? Is it even half accurate... (just an example , am not seeking answers)

[WiseCookie]

In my opinion the only reason the EU is ranked favorably is because they are not on the forefront of the war against terror while the US is. France, Germany, and other European countries are all fighting their brand of terrorism, but are not involved in Iraq, and therefore not on the news as much.