Russia has surpassed North Korea as the United States’ greatest enemy in the minds of Americans amid heightened tensions between the two countries in recent years.
Eighteen percent of Americans consider Russia to be the United States’ greatest enemy today, up from 2 percent a few years ago, Gallup said. Fifteen percent said North Korea/Korea, 12 percent said China, 9 percent said Iran and 8 percent said Iraq.
Forty-nine percent also now see Russia’s military power as a critical threat, compared to 32 percent last year. And though Americans’ views of Russia were more positive than negative just three years ago, 24 percent now have favorable views of Russia, compared to 70 percent who have unfavorable views — the worst Gallup has measured in a 26-year trend.
The Feb. 8-11 Gallup poll was taken just before a cease-fire was brokered between Ukraine and pro-Russia separatists in the ongoing conflict, and as the United States weighs providing lethal aid to Ukraine.
The survey of 837 adults has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.