Foreign Views of US Darken Since Sept. 11

The world largely reacted with sympathy after the terrorist attacks on the US two years ago. Nonetheless, this feeling of solidarity and cooperation shifted to anger and resentment, especially after the US war in Iraq, which was conducted without large global support. As these brief interviews in the New York Times reveal, people around the world believe the Bush administration’s decision to go into Iraq without UN approval was reckless and selfish. As the post-war reconstruction continues, global public opinion of the US continues to disfavor any American action. In Indonesia, for example, one year ago 61% of the population had a positive opinion of the US, compared to only 15% now. Two years after sympathy for a world leader besieged poured into the US, the view of America as dangerous hegemon is now pervasive. – YaleGlobal