The Chicago Council recently published its bi-annual report on Americans' views of different foreign policy matters. One of their most interesting data sets is a scale ranking countries that we view favorably and unfavorably from 0-100; 0 being the least favorable and 100 being the most favorable. The list, while not incredibly shocking, should still be viewed by policy makers as a guide for where the US needs to work on diplomatic ties.
10. Indonesia – 47/100
This one is kind of odd considering that, gradually, Indonesians have viewed America in a positive light. It's hard to pin down one specific reason for Indonesia's unfavorable rating, but one might attribute it to its history of human rights violations and illiberal democratic institutions.
9. Tie – Egypt and Venezuela 46/100
Home of Communist leader Fidel Castro, America's southern neighbor has always had a special place in our hearts and minds. Memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Red Scare live on as examples of good versus evil, with the man above leading a national agenda counter to American interests.
5. Russia 36/100
To the dismay of all involved in the survey, the poll results were taken in May. This means that pollsters did not experience the summer of foreign policy hell, which included the extra-territorial claim Russia made in Ukraine. Putin and American leaders have never seen eye-to-eye on many issues, and it doesn't seem like that will be changing in the near future.
4. Tie – Palestine and Pakistan 33/100
The US and Israel have an interesting relationship to say the least, so not shockingly, Israel's most recent "Enemy of the week" Palestine has made the shortlist. It's not certain if Israelis and Palestinians will ever coexist peacefully, but the constant links between Hamas and Palestine are not doing them any favors in their standing with Americans.
The same could be said for Pakistan and their relationship with India. The US and India have strong diplomatic ties, which puts them in a precarious situation with the two nuclear powers. Pakistan undoubtedly earned some "bad guy" bonus points when Osama Bin Laden was rumored to be sheltered there by Pakistani authorities, though these claims have not been verified.
3. Iraq 31/100
Yes Captain Hindsight, it seems that the decision to sustain operations in Iraq has finally reached bipartisan disapproval, according to the Chicago Council report. After searching for WMDs and trying our hand at creating a failed democracy, it should come as no surprise that America's feelings towards Iraq have not yet recovered.
2. Iran 27/00
Inevitably, the "rogue state" of North Korea grabs the coveted first spot on the list of American unfavorability. The Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un has made it abundantly clear that we are also not his favorite people in the world, though he does enjoy American cinema as well as basketball.
The police state under Kim Jong-Un has been charged with numerous human rights abuses and has several Americans detained to be used as bargaining chips with the US. Moreover, North Korea does pose a grave security threat to the US and their missile testing situation should be continually monitored.
Honorable mention: Syria!
I have to assume Syria did not make the list because, as I stated earlier, the polling was conducted in May. If it were conducted now, I think that Syria and Bashar Al-Assad would undoubtedly make the list. Not only because of the atrocities he himself has committed, but also because the Islamic State is headquartered in Syria. In the unlikely event that ISIL does establish a 7th century caliphate, be on the lookout for an updated list.
Ironically, the US has been guilty of many of the crimes that it denounces in other countries, such as human rights abuses. This should serve as a reminder that the international community must hold every member accountable for their actions, including the US. Through international cooperation and diplomacy, the US should aim to repair these damaged relationships.
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