Europeans See U.s. As Threat To Global Stability

[Serge]

Some adults in five European nations express reservations about the role of the United States in world affairs, according to a poll by Harris Interactive published in the Financial Times. 30 per cent of respondents believe the U.S. is the greatest threat to global stability.

Iran is second on the list with 23 per cent, followed by China with 15 per cent, Iraq with 14 per cent, North Korea with eight per cent, and Russia with two per cent.

In Spain, 44 per cent of respondents place the U.S. as the main perceived threat. 36 per cent of respondents in Britain—and 28 per cent of respondents in France—feel the same way.

In Italy, Iran was the first country on the list with 31 per cent. The U.S. and Iran are tied with 24 per cent in Germany’s sample.

On Aug. 31, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed his foreign policy approach, saying, "America has committed its influence in the world to advancing freedom and democracy as the great alternatives to repression and radicalism. We will take the side of democratic leaders and reformers across the Middle East. We will support the voices of tolerance and moderation in the Muslim world."

After being branded as part of an "axis of evil" by Bush in January 2002, Iran has contended that its nuclear program aims to produce energy, not weapons.

Polling Data

Which one, if any, of the following countries do you think is the greatest threat to global stability?

Successively Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Germany

USA: 36% 28% 21% 44% 24%

Iran: 19% 24% 31% 15% 24%

China: 10% 21% 19% 14% 13%

Irak: 12% 10% 13% 15% 18%

North

Korea: 14% 8% 5% 5% 6%

Russia: 1% 2% 1% 1% 4%

Angus Reid

Source: Harris Interactive / Financial Times

Methodology: Online interviews with 1,936 adults in Britain, 2,050 adults in France, 2,019 adults in Germany, 2,011 adults in Italy and 1,946 adults in Spain, conducted from Aug. 2 to Aug. 11, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

Les sentiments ont fort évolués… 15 ans après la chute du communisme.

[A.B.]

Il faut voir la question, greatest threat to global stability. Deja cela assume que "stability" soit positif puisque tout ce qui viendrait la perturber serait "a threat".

De ce point de vue par exemple je pense aussi que potentiellement les US peuvent plus destabiliser le monde que la Coree du Nord ou l'Iran.

Je prefere evidemment les US a la Coree du Nord ou a l'Iran mais si je devais repondre rigoureusement a la question je citerai les US avant eux.