Obama's Soft Power Surge, And Other Statistical Novelties

A quick review of a new global perception poll published by the BBC World Service shows that the "Obama-effect" is indeed real and that the world has pretty much forgiven Germany for World War II. From the BBC story:

"For the first time since the annual poll began in 2005, America's influence in the world is now seen as more positive than negative."

Boz provides a nice round-up of the shift of perceptions in Latin America.

Chile saw the region's biggest positive growth in pro-American sentiment (55% up from 42% last year). Mexicans, however...ouch: just 13% view US influence as favorable.

Ripping from the BBC report, the only two countries that have seen a fall in positive sentiment towards the US are Turkey and India.

The only countries where perceptions of the United States became more negative overall were Turkey (where the proportion with positive perceptions of the United States fell from 21 per cent to 13 per cent and negative perceptions increased from 63 to 70 per cent), and in India (where positive perceptions dipped from 43 per cent to 39 per cent and negative views increased from 20 to 28 per cent).

The Turks are upset about the fact that California Congressman keep pushing (against Foggy Bottom's wishes) for legislative recognition up the 1918 Armenian Genocide (or "Genocide" as they would have it).

India is either miffed about how we're now in bed with Pakistan or perhaps the whole White House party crashers incident at the State Dinner for the Indian PM.

Back to Latin America, some stats on Brazil that will require someone with more knowledge than me to dissect (opinions please!):

Egypt has changed from leaning positive to leaning negative, as favourable evaluations have dropped by 15 points (to 18%, down from 33%).

Indians have moved from favourable to divided, as negative views have risen by eight points (to 23%, up from 15%).

Positive opinions of Brazil have also declined in each of the following countries: China by ten points (now 55%, down from 65%), Ghana by nine points (now 41%, down from 50%), Italy by nine points (now 40%, down from 49%), Canada by eight points (now 38%, down from 46%) and Nigeria by nine points (now 38%, down from 47%).

Hey Ghana: what did Brazil ever do to you?

Online Sources: BBC, Bloggings by Boz, Guardian, Hindustan Times, Ghana Web, MSNBC

Image Source: Asiancorrespondent.com via Theodora.com (Blue represents countries that have never burned American flag)