Pew Research:  People in Many Countries Consider the U.S. an Important Ally

For this Pew Research Center analysis, we asked respondents in 25 nations which country they think is the most important ally to their own. Then we asked which country they think poses the greatest threat to their own.

Pew Research surveyed almost 30,000 people and looked at the ally/enemy question several different ways.  Respondents didn’t choose from a list, but could write anything down.

These are the countries that considered the US to be their most important ally.  Israel is obvious, but it’s nice to that South Korea and Japan appreciate the US.  Why does Nigeria think the US is a big deal?

These countries named the US as the top ally and top threat.  The middle countries see the US as the big dog, so it can go either way.  Mexico makes sense because the US has a huge influence. 

Again, Canada is disappointing.  A number of Canadians chose the US as the top ally and top threat.  They were probably trying to appear sophisticated, with a nuanced view.  Do better Canada.

These countries saw the US as the top threat.  South Africa is turning into a Marxist ethno-state, so they probably should be leery of the US.  Indonesia is predominantly Muslim country near China, so yeah, the US isn’t going to be too friendly.  What’s the deal with Spain?  I’m guessing they don’t think about politics, so the US was the first big country to come to mind.

These are countries with a top ally or top threat that is not the US.  Germany and France are big dogs in Europe, so don’t consider the US too much either way.  Then, a bunch of countries that keep their heads down and handle their business.

There is more in the Pew survey, and it’s all pretty interesting.