Middle East & North Africa

Our study analyzes 198 countries and territories and is based on policies and events in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available.

Nearly a quarter of countries used force to prevent religious gatherings during the pandemic; other government restrictions and social hostilities related to religion remained fairly stable.

Here’s how people in the U.S. and elsewhere have viewed the troop evacuation and its aftermath, and their broader attitudes about the war.

A median of 68% across 19 countries think their country has done a good job dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, with majorities saying this in every country surveyed except Japan. However, most also believe the pandemic has created greater divisions in their societies and exposed weaknesses in their political systems – and these view are especially common in the U.S.

In his second year in office, Joe Biden receives generally positive ratings in the 18 countries surveyed in spring 2022.

A median of 55% of adults in 18 surveyed countries have confidence in Kamala Harris to do the right thing regarding world affairs.

67% of U.S. adults express a favorable view of the Israeli people; a much smaller share (48%) says the same about the Israeli government.

As President Joe Biden embarks on his first visit to Israel as president, he does so against an amicable backdrop: A majority of adults in both Israel and the United States have favorable views of the other country and the current state of bilateral relations, though Americans’ views on Israel differ sharply by party and age.

Much larger shares of people in most nations see China’s influence growing than say the same of the United States.

Most say U.S. is reliable partner, and ratings for Biden are mostly positive – although down significantly from last year.