Worldwide Poll: US Is Biggest Threat to Peace

The United States is considered the greatest threat to peace in the world, says WIN/Gallup International's annual global end-of-year survey.

America was named the biggest threat by 24 percent of people surveyed, followed by Pakistan with 8 percent and China with 6 percent; Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Israel were tied at 5 percent.

"The world's sometimes eager, sometimes reluctant policeman is the subject of widespread animosity. Predictable in some areas (the Middle East and North Africa), but less so in others," the BBC's world affairs correspondent, Paul Adams, said of the findings.

"In the Americas themselves, decades of U.S. meddling have left an awkward legacy. Its neighbors, Mexico (37%) and Canada (17%), clearly have issues. Even 13% of Americans see their own country as a danger," Adams said.

At the same time, though, the poll found that the United States, Canada, and Australia are the countries where most people would like to live if they could.

The survey was conducted in 63 countries during October and November using a variety of methodologies, including online, face-to-face, and computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

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