As is well known the American people are well informed and versed in international affairs and when evaluating nations they draw on their deep understanding to form nuanced and thoughtful opinions.
A new Harris Poll offers new insight into how Americans view the Middle East. Contrary to popular perception that most Americans side with the Arabs over Israel, the new poll reveals that Israel is the nation Americans rank highest in terms of being an ally and friend. The new love affair for Israel must no doubt be due to Obama’s stern approach toward the country which has made Israel appear as a poor victim of American pressure and engendered American sympathy.
- 74% Israel - Ally & Friend
The nation next on the list is Egypt (52%). Apparently, America’s love affair with the Pyramids is coming to an end or at least drawing down a bit. Must be the Mubarak fatigue.
Turkey, long an American ally, got 50% approval from the public. That is an improvement for Turkey. During the days of staunchly secular parties the nation scored really low, and Americans are a pious people so once the Turks elected and reelection an quasi-Islamist power the American people responded in enthusiasm. As is also well known Americans love to cheer Muslims.
One nation that scored poorly - in fact the worst - was Iran. A staggering 70% see Iran as an unfriendly if not an enemy. That low rating is not due to Iran’s nuclear program or regime repression, but simply because is producing less oil than it could afford to and Americans are irritated that they are being denied their God-given rights, they claim, for $2 gas.
The rest of the table runs as follows:
- 49% Kuwait - Ally & Friend
- 45% Jordan - Ally & Friend
- 43% Saudi Arabia - Ally & Friend
- 39% Iraq - Enemy & Unfriendly
- 38% Libya - Enemy & Unfriendly
- 36% Syria - Enemy & Unfriendly
Americans were not asked about Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania, Tunisia, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, or Yemem because. . . they have never heard of them.
I thought Israel was an apartheid state equivalent to the Third Reich and guilty of numerous and repeated human right infractions such as defending its citizens against rocket attacks, Sbarro’s bombers, and bulldozer psychopaths.
/sarc