July 3, 2016
THE UBERPOWER:
As Obama Years Draw to Close, President and U.S. Seen Favorably in Europe and Asia (RICHARD WIKE, JACOB POUSHTER AND HANI ZAINULBHAI, 6/29/16, Pew Research)
As he nears the end of his presidency, Barack Obama continues to enjoy a broad degree of international popularity. A new Pew Research Center survey conducted in 10 European nations, four major Asia-Pacific countries, Canada and the United States finds that half or more of those polled in 15 of 16 countries express confidence in the American leader. [...]Yet, as the U.S. economy continues to grow slowly but steadily and as China's once roaring growth rates wane, perceptions of American economic power are on the rise. Today, majorities or pluralities in seven of 16 nations name the U.S. as the leading global economic power; only the Australians say it's China (in the remaining countries, opinions are more divided).In the European Union, public opinion has moved substantially on this question since it was first asked in 2008. Looking across five EU nations polled each year since 2008 - France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK - the median percentage naming the U.S. as the world's top economic power declined rapidly after 2009, but has rebounded steadily since 2012.American public opinion has also shifted on this question. As recently as 2014, 41% said China was the leading economy, while 40% chose the U.S. Now, just 34% think it's China, while 54% say the U.S.European attitudes toward President Barack Obama remain very positive. Across the 10 EU nations polled, a median of 77% have confidence in Obama to do the right thing in world affairs, including more than eight-in-ten in Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany and France.
There's a terrific recent Norwegian tv series called Occupied--based on a scenario by Jo Nesbo--in which the US uses its newfound energy dependence to withdraw from world affairs and stop defending allies. So when a Green government in Norway announces that it's not going to market any oil anymore--replacing its own energy supply and potentially that of all Europe with a new non-carbon element--the EU conspires with the Russians to take over Norwegian oil facilities and keep supplies going. Gradually, the screw begin to tighten and Russia, with EU connivance, exerts more and more control over the country.
But there's a great scene where--after being taken hostage by fake terrorists--the PM and his assistant flee to the US Embassy. The sight of the US flag flapping in the breeze, by itself, assures you that the two are safe now.
Posted by Orrin Judd at July 3, 2016 7:35 AM