U.S. Leadership Gets Global Image Boost

In Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Gallup and the Meridian International Center revealed the complete 2009 findings of their "The U.S.-Global Leadership Project," examining views of U.S. leadership around the world.

In 102 countries surveyed by Gallup in 2009, a median of 51% of respondents said they approved of U.S. leadership. That's up from 34% in 2008 and similarly poor ratings prior to that.


Our story on these data examines this shift in detail, including specific data by region and from G20 countries. Our Cynthia English reports: "Significant improvements in sentiment toward U.S. leadership are evident in all four major global regions, with the largest year-over-year increase in approval measured in Europe." Additionally, our World Citizens' Views on U.S. Leadership feature includes all of the country-level data.

Panelists at Tuesday's event -- former U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin, The Atlantic Senior Editor Clive Crook, and former U.S. Ambassador and Meridian International Center CEO Stuart Holliday -- examined the data from several angles and took questions from the audience.

The panel considered, among other issues, the "Obama effect" in these numbers and whether the gains are sustainable in a climate where expectations for Obama were so high while the foreign policy challenges he faces are so difficult. It is worth noting here that a slim majority of Americans currently approve of the way Obama is handling foreign affairs.

The panel also discussed the implications of how the U.S. balances its defense, diplomacy, and development efforts, and whether a re-examination or re-balancing of those efforts might ultimately results in gains for the U.S. brand image.

Questions from the audience also recognized the complexity inherent in ratings of U.S. leadership versus perceptions of the American people, especially in light of the Gallup finding that more than 165 million people worldwide -- far more than in any other country -- say they would move permanently to the U.S. if they could.

Gallup and the Meridian International Center will continue to track global views of U.S. leadership in the coming months and years and report and analyze noteworthy shifts. To make sure you are always up to date, sign up for Gallup world or perceptions of foreign countries e-mail alerts or RSS fees.

Read the complete findings from the U.S.-Global Leadership Project.