America Has Lost the Arab World
6 hours ago
- #Middle-East-Public-Opinion
- #Israeli-Palestinian-Conflict
- #US-Foreign-Policy
- Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel led to widespread casualties, displacement, and damage, shifting Middle Eastern public opinion against Israel and the U.S.
- Post-October 7 polling shows a lasting decline in confidence in the U.S.-led order, with China, Iran, and Russia now viewed more favorably than the U.S. and Europe in many Arab countries.
- Arab publics see the U.S. as one-sided and morally compromised, particularly due to its support for Israel, while perceiving China, Iran, and Russia as better protectors of freedoms and regional security.
- Despite concerns over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence, its opposition to Israel boosts its favorability, whereas the U.S. is widely disliked for siding with Israel in the conflict.
- Approval for leaders like Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin has risen significantly in Arab countries, and support for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's foreign policies surged after his death.
- The U.N. is perceived as biased toward Israel, leading many Arabs to view the entire international legal system as bankrupt, further eroding trust in Western institutions.
- Israel is the least popular country in the region, with minimal support for normalization unless it recognizes a Palestinian state, though most Arabs favor a two-state solution.
- China is seen as superior to the U.S. in upholding international law, protecting freedoms, and maintaining regional security, according to surveys across multiple Arab nations.
- The war with Iran, initiated by the U.S. and Israel, is likely to further damage U.S. reputation, potentially pushing Arab governments to strengthen ties with China and Russia.
- France's popularity rebounded after recognizing a Palestinian state, suggesting that U.S. and European reputations could recover through policy changes, such as ending the Iran war and supporting Palestinian rights.