Global approval of President Barack Obama's international policies has declined significantly since he first took office, but overall confidence in him and attitudes toward the U.S. have slipped only modestly as a consequence, finds a new survey of 21 countries by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. The Obama era has coincided with major changes in international perceptions of American power – especially U.S. economic power. The global financial crisis and the steady rise of China have led many to declare China the world's economic leader, and this trend is especially strong among some of America's major European allies. Even though many think American economic clout is in relative decline, publics around the world continue to worry about how the U.S. uses its power – in particular its military power – in international affairs. In nearly all countries surveyed, there is considerable opposition to a major component of the Obama administration's anti-terrorism policy: drone strikes. In 17 of 20 countries, more than half disapprove of U.S. drone attacks targeting extremist leaders and groups in nations such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. Americans are the clear outliers on this issue: 62% approve of the drone campaign. There remains a widespread perception that the U.S. acts unilaterally and does not consider the interests of other countries. In predominantly Muslim nations, American anti-terrorism efforts are still widely unpopular. These are among the principal findings from a survey of more than 26,000 people in 21 countries conducted by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. The survey, conducted from March 17 to April 20, finds: President Obama: Europeans and Japanese remain largely confident in Obama – albeit somewhat less so than in 2009 – while Muslim publics remain largely critical. Fewer than three-in-ten express confidence in him in Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and Jordan. And roughly a year after he ordered the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, just 7% of Pakistanis have a positive view of Obama. Obama and Bush: Obama consistently receives higher ratings than President Bush did in 2008. This is particularly true in Western Europe and Japan, but it is also true in several predominantly Muslim nations where Obama's ratings are more positive than his predecessor's. Obama's Policies: Among the EU countries surveyed in both 2009 and 2012, a median of 78% approved of Obama's policies in 2009, compared with 63% now. Among Muslim nations, the median has slipped from 34% to 15%. The 2009 Pew Global Attitudes survey found that many believed the new American president would act multilaterally, seek international approval before using military force, take a fair approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and make progress on climate change. Few now believe he has actually accomplished these things. Obama's Re-election: Despite disappointment with Obama's policies, there is still considerable support for his re-election in many countries, especially in Europe. Roughly nine-in-ten in France and Germany would like to see him re-elected, as would large majorities in Britain, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic. Most Brazilians and Japanese agree. But in the Middle East there is little enthusiasm for a second term – majorities in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon oppose Obama's re-election. United States: Majorities or pluralities in 12 countries express a favorable opinion of the U.S., while the prevailing view is negative in only five nations. Views are closely divided in three countries. Attitudes toward the U.S. are generally more positive today than in 2008. The biggest improvements in America's image have occurred among Europeans, but some of the initial surge in pro-American sentiments that followed Obama's election has waned in Western Europe. In a number of strategically important Muslim nations, America's image has not improved during the Obama presidency. Soft Power: Certain aspects of American “soft power” are often well-regarded. The American way of doing business is especially popular in the Arab World. In addition, majorities or pluralities in 18 of 20 countries admire the U.S. for its science and technology, and most of the publics surveyed embrace American music, movies and television. U.S. popular culture and American ideas about democracy are more popular among people under 30. Even as they embrace certain features of American culture, majorities or pluralities in 17 of 20 countries say it is a bad thing that U.S. ideas and customs are spreading to their countries. China: Views about the economic balance of power have shifted dramatically over time among the 14 countries surveyed each year from 2008 to 2012. In 2008, a median of 45% named the U.S. as the world's leading economic power, while just 22% said China. Today, only 36% say the U.S., while 42% believe China is in the top position. Majorities in Germany (62%), Britain (58%), France (57%) and Spain (57%) name China as the world's top economic power.
