(February 18, 2016 at 6:36 am)Gawdzilla Wrote: "Universally", meaning whomever is currently wearing your underwear.
According to a Gallup/WIN poll, the US is considered the most dangerous country.
http://www.ibtimes.com/gallup-poll-bigge...ca-1525008
Quote:In their annual End of Year poll, researchers for WIN and Gallup International surveyed more than 66,000 people across 65 nations and found that 24 percent of all respondents answered that the United States “is the greatest threat to peace in the world today.” Pakistan and China fell significantly behind the United States on the poll, with 8 and 6 percent, respectively. Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and North Korea all tied for fourth place with 4 percent.
First, I don't know what I would have answered if asked. During the Bush years, it would have been a no brainer yes. During the Obama years, not so much. It all depends on who's in the White House, how they behave and who's controlling the houses. Same goes for the future. Hilary has the potential to be dangerous, Cruz or Trump are disasters waiting to happen. Bernie, remote as his chances seem right now, probably won't be a war hawk.
You have to put things into perspective. The US is the leading military power. Able to strike almost everywhere in the world within short notice. With that kind of power comes a great deal of responsibility that was sorely missing at certain points in the past. It also means, as I said before, that fuckups leave a bigger fallout. Especially when it comes to military interventions or economical busts.
So, I agree that North Korea or Iran present less of a danger. They're isolated midgets in comparison. Israel has the potential to draw the US into a conflict. Turkey on the other hand, in it's current state and with it's government running amok, is a clear and present danger, since it's a member of NATO and could provoke an attack calling for NATO response.