Arab youth see the U.S. as an enemy

[DonViejo]

Source: Axios



Haley Britzky 2 hours ago

Arab youth now view the United States primarily as an adversary, according to an annual survey of 18-24 year olds in 16 Arab states.

Why it matters: The U.S. has held a presence in many of these countries for years, but the latest Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey reveals a dramatic shift in how youth in the region view America: 57% of those surveyed this year see the U.S. as an enemy, and 35% consider the U.S. an ally. That's almost a complete reversal of the numbers from 2016.

The Trump factor: 73% of Arab youth said President Trump's election has had a negative impact on their countries. And more youth trust Russia than the United States, as the Kremlin builds up its presence in the region.

Asked who their country's top international ally is, the youths were most likely to pick the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Russia, and Egypt. The U.S. fell out of the top five for the first time in the survey's history.

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Read more: https://www.axios.com/arab-youth-see-us-as-an-enemy-a4415c65-e096-4904-b32e-921ef54651a6.html

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About the survey: 3,500 18-24 years olds from 16 countries were surveyed, with an even split of men and women. Countries included are grouped into the GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE), North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Lybia, Morocco, Tunisia), and the Levant + Other (Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories).

[KG]

2. in way too many situations in the m.e. - we're the baddies.

[Cold War Spook]

3. Why, what has the US done to them?

Sure we bombed or occupied Iran, Libya, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia Afghanistan, Sudan, Kosovo, Yemen, Pakistan and Syria.

[MosheFeingold]

6. Most of those countries

Are not ethnically Arab, notably: Iran, Libya (although it has a mix), Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Pakistan.

Lebanon has plenty of Arabs, as does Syria, although I don't think they are the majority.

One should not confuddle "Arab" with "Muslim."

While there is a strong correlation, the two are not the same.

Also not sure we've bombed or occupied Pakistan (although the border with Afghanistan is hardly clear-cut, so that's a matter of opinion) and Saudi Arabia (which is Arab) was not occupied (although OBL begged to differ).

[winstars]

4. Hmmmm? Whats the difference in the USA from 2016 to 2018? Just saying...

[psychopomp]

5. Another legacy of the Trump disaster

will be a diminished USA in the world. This survey is one indication that the USA is in for a very rough ride if the US's soft power continues to be jeopardized. Spanky's ravaging of the State Department is killing us, and the heavy-handedness of Trump's style is driving our allies away.

[SWBTATTReg]

7. Another shining example of RUMP's vastly superior diplomatic skills!

Wow! Man, I better watch myself or I'll find myself charmed by RUMP into running into a RUMP store and spending all of my money on RUMP-themed merchandise!!

God, what can't RUMP do?!

(SARCASM by the way folks)

[mpcamb]

8. Thank, Donnie boy, you moron.

[Stonepounder]

9. Trump is the best recruiter that ISIS and Al Qaeda has ever had!

[Glorfindel]

10. Can't think why...after all, the United States can do no wrong.

Silly Arab youth.