Polls & Research

Fewer Americans See Iran as Main Enemy

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Fewer adults in the United States believe Iran is a threat to their country, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 26 per cent of respondents consider the Islamic nation as the greatest U.S. enemy, down five points in a year.

Iraq is second on the list with 21 per cent, followed by North Korea with 18 per cent, and China with 11 per cent. Iraq, Iran and North Korea were branded as part of an "axis of evil" by U.S. president George W. Bush in January 2002.

In December 2006, the United Nations (UN) Security Council unanimously voted to impose sanctions against Iran after it failed to stop uranium enrichment. On Jan. 2, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared, "Let the world know that from the Iranian nation's point of view, this resolution has no validity. I want (the United States) to know that the Iranian nation has humiliated you many times, and it will humiliate you in future."

Yesterday, U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney referred to the situation in Iran, saying, "They have made some fairly inflammatory statements. They appear to be pursuing the development of nuclear weapons. We are deeply concerned and have made it very clear we're deeply concerned about Iran's activities. (...) But I've also made the point, and the president has made the point, that all options are on the table."

In July 2006, North Korea launched seven missiles—including the Taepodong-2—which landed in the Sea of Japan close to Russian coastal areas. In October, the country announced it had successfully carried out a test detonation of a nuclear weapon.

Earlier this month, the North Korean government agreed to shut down its main nuclear facility—located in Yongbyong—and allow international inspectors in the country within 60 days, in exchange for one million tonnes of fuel oil.

Polling Data

What one country anywhere in the world do you consider to be America's greatest enemy today?