Will Troops Increase in Afghanistan Help U.S. Win War?

President Obama recently announced increase in US troops in Afghanistan, will it really help US win war in Afghanistan? Afghans perceptions of US leadership & US iteself are becoming increasingly negative ever since mid 2009. More than half (52%) of Afghans hold negative views of US according to Gallup survey. Similarly their approval ratings for US leadership have also declined by 6 percentage point during this period. Bot of these show that Afghans are losing confidence in US & its role as messiah. So to defeat Taliban/extremists, US will have to firstly win the confidence of the Afghan citizens.

How likely is it that US will eventually come out of Afghanistan as victorious?

Is it possible to win war without wining the hearts of Afghans?

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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Summary of Global Opinion Report # 105

This week report consists of 33 surveys. Only one of these is multi-country in nature. The rest of 32 are national surveys.
These 32 surveys are from;
Middle East
West Asia
East Asia
Northeast Asia
West Europe
North America
Latin America
Australasia
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Americans Not Concerned About Global Warming, What About Others..?

Several surveys were published last week in North America showing various concerns in U.S. & Canada. The dominant focus still remained on economic crisis followed by state of the nation in U.S. State of the Union address also got reasonable attention in the last week surveys. Gallup reveiw of the President Obama address show that his speech remained focused on several of the public concerns shown in polls. Should it be considered that public opinion is getting a lot of respect from the U.S. administration? This seems true at least for the local issues facing the nation.

But on the global level, take the case of global warming. Publics around the world seem ready to deal with this concern even if it slows down the economy. In our previous analyses we pointed towards the U.S. government reluctance towards dealing with this issue. But a look at the Americans priorities for their governments (for several years) provide us with some understanding. On the list of top priorities for Americans in 2010, global warming is at the bottom i.e. number 21. Why is global warming such a low profile issue for Americans? This is a difficult question to answer but the above scenario alteast explains U.S. government reluctance in taking steps towards dealing with this concern. But it also shows that U.S. government respects its citizens opinion.

It will be very interesting if someone can provide the top priorities of the citizens of China, India, Russia and EU so that we can make objective comparison of the subject.

I look for for a healthy debate and information.

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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Resurging Turkey and The Muslim World

Several of the events in 2009 and statements of Turkish leadership show that Turkey is trying to take a leadership role in the Muslim world. Walk out of PM Erdogan from Davos on Palestine issue, statments over Iran nuclear issue, active role in Friends of Pakistan, PM visits of several Muslim countries, efforts to resolve Kurdish question, and a new era of relations with Armenia all point in this direction that Turkey is no more an inactive state. Interestingly, Erdogan, who has been Prime Minister since 2003 is still enjoying the majority support in the country. The recent polling in Turkey shows that Turks are backing their leadership. A last month poll show that Turks are supportive of PM Erdogan statements over Iran nuclear issue as being for peaceful purposes. This stance in clearly in opposition to west in general and U.S. in particular. Iran's nuclear issue on the other hand received criticism not only in west but also in the Arab states.

What kind of role one may expect from Turkey at this stage? It will have to deal with EU & U.S. on one hand and the Arab states on the other hand. How likely is it for Turkey to play a role in patching the gulf between Iran and the Arab states? Is there really any desire on part of Turkey to play a leading role in the Muslim world?

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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Summary of Global Opinion Polls Report # 103

This week report consists of 23 surveys. Two of these are multi-country surveys while the rest of 21 are national surveys.

Total surveys: 23
Multi-country surveys: 2
National surveys: 21

Asia-Zone-1: 07
Europe, Americas & Australasia-Zone-3: 14

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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Summary of Global Polls- Week # 102

Dated January 10-16, 2010

This week report consists of 23 surveys. Four of these are multi-country surveys while the rest of 19 are national surveys.

ASIA zone-4 single country polls and 1 multi country poll covering:
Middle East and North Africa- Israel, Palestinian territories, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, Comoros, Yemen, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon
West Asia- Turkey
South Asia- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh,
East Asia- Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea

AFRICA zone- 1 single country poll covering:
East Africa & Horn of Africa- Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania, Ethiopia,
West Africa- Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali,
Central Africa- Uganda
South Africa- South Africa

EURO-AMERICAS zone-12 single country polls and 4 global polls covering:
East Europe- Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia,
West Europe- UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Sweden
North America- U.S.A, Canada
Latin America- Haiti, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Domenican Republic, Venezuela
Australasia- Australia

Global Polls- 2 polls covering cross zonal segments of countries.

Subjects covered include:
Politics and Elections
Political economy
Governance
Social issues/ Health and Disease/ Natural Disasters
Religious and racial issues
Immigration
Climate Change
Politics of Security
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Prelude to Gallopedia Polls for Week # 101

Dated January 03-09, 2010
This week’s report consists of 21 surveys from around the world. 5 of these surveys are multi-country while the rest are national surveys.

President Barak Obama started his second year in office with 50 per cent job approval ratings. Will he be able to improve or maintain his ratings? The second year’s start is quite important in the traditions of U.S. political system. President Obama’s ratings are only better than President Reagan’s (the worst ratings recorded for any U.S. president since Second World War) at the start of his second year in office. Barack Obama has somewhat maintained his popularity among Democrats with some decline in Independents along with a minimal support from Republicans. His support mainly remained high among men below 50 and generally among women across all age groups, but especially under 50. This trend remains reflective of the statistics of his pool of support in the Presidential election.

The 18 percentage point decline in popularity and a rise of 32 percentage points in disapproval is quite alarming in one year. However considering the tumultuous times with two unpopular wars accompanied by a financial crisis and manifesto to bring change tells the story that President Obama actually is walking a tight rope. Crucial decisions about healthcare bill and sending troops to Afghanistan got a mixed review from the public but the economic situation of the country remains a high priority. An improvement on this front might trigger a more positive review in this year. Americans may be concerned about war in Iraq & Afghanistan and terrorism but their most pressing concern continues to be the declining American economy. Americans at present are more concerned with their bread and butter rather then pursuing an aggressive foreign policy agenda. Obama’s real test remains the overturning of the US economic slowdown. §

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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Zone 1- Asia, Summary of Global Polls- Week # 101

Dated January 03-09, 2010

This week’s report consists of 21 surveys, distributed as 16 national surveys and 5 global surveys.

ASIA zone-4 single country polls and 1 multi country poll covering:
Middle East and North Africa- Israel, Palestinian territories, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq
West Asia- Iran, Turkey
East Asia- Philippines, Japan

AFRICA zone- 1 single country poll covering:
South Africa- South Africa

EURO-AMERICAS zone-12 single country polls and 4 global polls covering:
East Europe- Russia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia
West Europe- Cyprus, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany
North America- U.S.A, Canada

Global Polls- 2 polls covering cross zonal segments of countries.

Subjects covered include:
Politics and Elections
Political economy
Governance
Social issues/ Health and Disease
Religious and racial issues
Climate Change
War on Terror
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Prelude to Gallopedia Polls for Week # 100

Dated Dec. 27th-Jan. 2nd 2009-10’

This week’s report consists of 24 surveys including public opinion from across the world on various political, economic and social issues.

Pessimism in reviewing the year 2009 and the first decade of twenty first century is becoming more and more obvious. Two prominent events come forth in the year & decade reviews surveys in U.S. The Zogy survey shows that it is ‘terror’ that defines the whole decade and remained significant factor in lives of Americans in this period leaving grave impact on the nation. While Harris interactive survey suggest that it was the election of President Bush that may be considered as the most influential event of this decade. The pessimism stems from the perception of USA having lost its standing in the world where its influence in world politics declined. These indicators may also be depictive of a public desire to have greater attention paid to economy, unemployment, inflation, high prices, and health problems.

The Swiss ban on minarets seems to have given an impetus to issues of Muslim integration in Europe. After the Swiss, Italian public is also thinking along the same lines. Moreover though France is considered to be home to most of the Muslims in Europe, last week surveys show that the French are also feeling Islam is not compatible with the modern day life style in France. These polls along with several other previously published polls show that Islamophobia is on the rise in Europe. On the other hand, the number of Muslims and their mosques in Europe seem to be on a rise. One can not say which way the wind will blow regarding Muslims integration in Europe, but it will be interesting to ponder whether mere legal restrictions will be sufficient to get Muslims integrated whole heartedly? Will such laws not create a further gulf in the aspirations and spirits of the Muslim immigrants and the local hosts? §

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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.

Zone 1- Asia, Summary of Global Polls- Week # 100

Dated December 27, 2009 to January 02, 2010

This week’s report consists of 24 surveys, distributed as 22 national surveys and 2 global surveys.

ASIA zone-1 single country poll covering:
Middle East and North Africa- Palestinian territories

AFRICA zone- 1 single country poll covering:
South Africa- Zimbabwe

EURO-AMERICAS zone-20 single country polls and 2 global polls covering:
East Europe- Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Ireland, Estonia, Greece, Romania
West Europe- UK, France, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Austria
North America- U.S.A, Canada

Global Polls- 2 polls covering cross zonal segments of countries.

Subjects covered include:
Politics and Election
Political economy
Governance
Social issues/Health and Disease
Religious and racial issues
War on Terror
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The complete detailed weekly reports of the project can be found on theGilani Research Foundation website.