Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

Bush Administration Fails in Most Countries

January 27, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in 25 countries are dissatisfied with the way the current United States government has dealt with six issues, according to a poll by the Program on International Policy Attitudes released by the BBC. 73 per cent of respondents disapprove of the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq, and 67 per cent decry the treatment of Guantanamo detainees.

In addition, 65 per cent of respondents disagree with how the U.S. handled the Israeli-Hezbollah war, and 60 per cent are dissatisfied with the way it has dealt with Iran's nuclear program. More than 50 per cent of respondents criticize the White House's policies on global warming and North Korea.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,065 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 23,100 troops have been wounded in action.

In Argentina, China, France, Lebanon, Russia and Turkey, fewer than 10 per cent of respondents approve of the way the U.S. has handled the coalition effort. Conversely, more than half of respondents in Kenya, Nigeria and the Philippines express support.

In his January 2005 inauguration speech, U.S. president George W. Bush said: "It is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world."

Polling Data

Opinion of the U.S. government's handling of...

Approve

Disapprove

The war in Iraq

20%

73%

Treatment of Guantanamo detainees

16%

67%

The Israeli-Hezbollah war

21%

65%

Iran's nuclear program

28%

60%

Global warming

27%

56%

North Korea's nuclear program

30%

54%

Source: Program on International Policy Atttitudes / BBC
Methodology: Interviews with 26,381 citizens in 25 countries, conducted from Nov. 3, 2006, to Jan. 9, 2007. Margin of error ranges from 2.5 to 4.0 per cent.


Complete Poll (PDF)

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