Poll: World critical of U.S. policy

COLLEGE PARK, Md., July 7 (UPI) -- Although President Barack Obama is viewed favorably, U.S. foreign policy still receives criticism worldwide, a WorldPublicOpinion,org poll Tuesday indicated.

Poll results indicate citizens in 15 of 19 nations criticized the United States for coercing other nations with its superior power, while residents of 17 of 19 nations failed to abide by international law, the College Park, Md., polling group reported

Overall, international views were mixed on whether the United States was playing a positive or negative role in the world, the poll said.

Asked whether they have confidence in Obama to "do the right thing regarding world affairs," an average of 61 percent of respondents said they have some or a lot of confidence.

However, an average of only one in four survey participants said the United States treats their home governments fairly, while two-thirds said the United States "abuses its greater power to make us do what the U.S. wants," the poll said.

"Most people around the world seem to have a positive view of the young new captain at the helm of the American ship of state, though many people see this huge ship as still carrying forward domineering policies," WorldPublicOpinion.org Director Steven Kull said.

WorldPublicOpinion.org conducted the poll of 19,914 respondents in 20 countries April 4-June 12, and not all questions were asked in all nations. The margin of error is between 3 percentage points and 4 percentage points.