Russia No. 1 in Anti-Americanism?

[peacetraveler22]

Today The Moscow Times published an interesting article entitled Why Russia Is No. 1 in Anti-Americanism. The article summarizes the results of a recent Gallup International poll where approximately 70,000 residents in 65 countries were asked "Who is the greatest threat to world peace?" 24% of worldwide respondents answered "America", but Russia exceeded the global response by more than double, with 54% of Russians choosing America.

Conversely, only 2% of Americans in the Gallup poll think Russia is a threat to global peace. I've mentioned before that Russia doesn't dominate American news, nor do most Americans spend any time thinking about the country at all. A rare exception recently due to the Olympic Games being held in the country. I don't know how powerful state controlled propaganda is in Russia because my knowledge of the language isn't proficient enough to watch these broadcasts. Honestly, a lot of faith and reliance should not be placed on such polls because they are always skewed in some manner. Russian bloggers like fritzmorgen, a master at statistics and anti-Western data, could probably search the Internet and find polls which say the opposite - that Americans don't trust Russia, etc. The article also indicates that another Gallup poll asked Russians the following question: "If there were no barriers to living in any country in the world, which country would you live in?" The number one answer amongst Russians? "America." Thus, the two polls seem diametrically opposed.

If you have time, take a look at the article. It's worth a read. Pleasant weekend to all! Next week we'll continue with more stories from Tennessee.

Comments

[moonrainbow.livejournal.com]

I would probably partially disappoint American journalists since I believe that the greatest threat to world peace as of now is radical Islamic groups.

But America is easily the second greatest threat, because I can't miss the fact that America is quick at defining someone an enemy and solving the problem with this enemy by military force. Sometimes it looks like scenes from movies about superheros: you always know that Americans are good guys, and somewhere in the world there are good guys who need support, and bad guys who need to be eliminated. Reality is different, but who cares about the reality in the world of motion pictures? To my relief, Obama understands reality a lot better than a stereotypical McCain and is not so happy to send troops and air carriers to assist "good guys" against "bad guys".

But there is still a risk of having another McCain who didn't have enough military games when he was young. That's why the threat exists.

And yet, if I had to choose between America ruling the world and Saudi Arabia ruling the world, I would support America with no doubt.

[peacetraveler22.livejournal.com]

Really, I agree with you on all points. These Islamic extremists pose threats everywhere, and undeservedly cast doubt and shame on an entire religion. McCain - I think he is Putin's biggest critic! Maybe McCain's mom should have bought him more G.I. Joe dolls or toy soldiers when he was a child. :) He will never be President of America. He is too old and his views on some topics too antiquated and radical. Moving forward, I think Americans will continue to elect middle-ground leaders.

[maul.livejournal.com]

Wikipedia about Bin Laden: "Under Operation Cyclone from 1979 to 1989, the United States provided financial aid and weapons to the mujahideen through Pakistan's ISI. Bin Laden met and built relations with Hamid Gul, who was a three-star general in the Pakistani army and head of the ISI agency. Although the United States provided the money and weapons, the training of militant groups was entirely done by the Pakistani Armed Forces and the ISI."

So it is still a question what was first, egg or chicken.