As USA Today reports:
WASHINGTON -- The outpouring of aid for tsunami victims in Asia and President Bush's push for democracy in the Middle East have helped abate anti-Americanism around the world, a survey of public opinion in 16 nations found.
Those gains have been largely offset, however, by opposition to the Iraq war and antagonism toward Bush personally, according to a study released.
...
For the United States, the survey shows a world in which some old friends are estranged and surprising new friends are emerging. Attitudes toward the United States have improved significantly in Russia, India and Indonesia. They remain positive in Poland.
But in most of Europe, China -- a country that lacks democratic elections or personal freedoms -- had a better image than the United States. Positive attitudes toward the United States fell in Canada and Great Britain. In Pakistan and Turkey, key allies in the war on terrorism, fewer than one in four viewed the United States favorably.
...
More below the fold...
What's interesting to note is that former allies, except Poland of course, have judged the US and found them too light. At the same time, Moslem countries, even those where Us reputation is already at a lowpoint, attributes democracy and hope for democracy to US efforts in the region.
Meanwhile, the reelection of Bush and the Iraq war has made sure that US popularity is still at a low, despite positive stories like Tsunami aid etc. And of course, the world thinks the ousting of Saddam Hussain hasn't made the world any safer.
Also worth noting is that of all the "coalition" countries in the Iraq war, only the Dutch thought the Government had made the right decision in joining the Iraq war. Even the Poles felt their Government had made a mistake there.
So, how will the Us try to correct their image in Europe, to become more popular than China again?