President Obama’s international popularity has declined sharply, due largely to opposition to U.S. drone attacks which have killed hundreds of civilians. The findings come in 2012 Pew Global Attitudes, a report released June 13. In 17 of 20 countries surveyed more than half the respondents opposed U.S. drone attacks in countries such as Yemen, Pakistan and Somalia.
A report released with the survey data noted, “There remains a widespread perception that the United States acts unilaterally and does not consider the interests of other countries.” Obama’s approval rating, 25 percent, was particularly low in predominantly Muslim countries. A 2004 study commissioned by then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld reached similar conclusions: “Muslims do not ‘hate our freedoms,’ but rather they hate our policies.”
Drone policies were not the only issue driving Obama’s low global popularity. In a 2009 survey 56 percent thought he would take significant steps to lessen climate change. The 2012 survey shows that just 22 percent say he has done so.
