According to Gallup data, Kosovo, Poland, and Israel are among the countries that rank as America’s biggest fans, with high approval ratings for U.S. leadership. Kosovo, in particular, has the largest net approval advantage for the United States, with a score of +78. The strong relationship between Kosovo and the U.S. is built on shared democratic values and a belief in freedom and democracy. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, and the U.S. has been a steadfast supporter of the country’s development and integration into the Euro-Atlantic community.
The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Houvenir, expressed pride in the U.S.’s support for Kosovo in advancing its sovereign, multiethnic, and democratic state. Despite facing challenges in the aftermath of the ethnic cleansing by the Milosevic regime, Kosovo has made remarkable progress in the years since gaining independence. Israel and Poland also rank highly among the U.S.’s biggest fans, with approval ratings of +66 and +59 respectively. On the other hand, Russia and Iran have the lowest approval ratings of the U.S., with scores of -82 and -73.
Gallup’s data shows a correlation between U.S. approval ratings and the political party in power in the White House. During President Barack Obama’s final year in office in 2016, a significant percentage of countries viewed themselves as aligned with the U.S. However, following the election of President Donald Trump in 2017, that number dropped significantly. Approval ratings have since rebounded with the election of President Joe Biden, almost returning to 2016 levels by 2023, with 48 percent of countries positively aligned with the U.S.
The data highlights the impact of presidential leadership on global perceptions of the U.S. and underscores the importance of diplomatic relationships in shaping international opinion. The U.S.’s strong relationships with countries like Kosovo, Israel, and Poland demonstrate the value of shared values and mutual support in fostering positive international relations. As tensions persist in regions like the Middle East and Ukraine, maintaining strong alliances and fostering diplomatic ties with key partners remains crucial for U.S. foreign policy.
Gallup’s data provides valuable insights into global perceptions of U.S. leadership and highlights the significance of diplomatic relations in shaping international opinion. By analyzing approval ratings from over 130 countries, the data shows the impact of political leadership on global attitudes towards the U.S. While some countries like Kosovo, Poland, and Israel have strong approval ratings for the U.S., others like Russia and Iran rank lower. The data also reveals fluctuations in global alignment with the U.S. based on the political party in power, emphasizing the importance of effective diplomacy in maintaining positive international relations.
