Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2016 | Page 52

Global Security and Intelligence Studies
poll of the U.S. global image (see table 3) (Pew 2013). A similar survey conducted at
the end of 2011 found that 82% expressed a “friendly feeling” toward the United States
(Wike 2012).
Table 3: Favorable Views of the United States
Country 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Indonesia 61 15 – 38 30 29 37 63 59 54 – 61
Japan 72 – – – 63 61 50 59 66 85 72 69
Philippines 90 – – – – – – – – – – 85
Source: Pew Research Global Attitudes Project (2013a, 2013b)
U.S. relief efforts reinforced America’s commitment to Japan, reflecting the
significance of the region in U.S. foreign policy and contributing to a general sense
of goodwill (Konishi and Oros 2014). For example, 57% of Japanese believed that the
United States provided a “great deal” of humanitarian assistance during and after the
catastrophe in contrast to the less than 20% who believed the United Nations, European
Union, and China provided a “great deal” of aid. Also, many Japanese believed that the
United States is a nation that considers the interests of other countries. In 2010, 31%
of the Japanese public believed that the United States takes into account the interests
of other countries; in the wake of the nuclear disaster and the U.S.-led humanitarian
mission, the percentage increases to 51% (Wike 2012). As table 3 demonstrates, the
United States received high approval ratings in the Philippines before Typhoon Yolanda
with 85% holding favorable views (Pew 2013). Also, many Filipinos consistently viewed
the United States as a trusted ally of the Philippines before and after Typhoon Yolanda
(see graph 1). In December 2013, one month after the typhoon struck, 82% believed
that the United States was the most trusted country, an all-time high (Rood 2014).
The emergence of China as a military power has been viewed with consternation
in the Philippines and Japan. Japan has the most negative views of China where only
5% expressed a positive view of China with 82% describing the island disputes and
naval tensions as security concerns. While tensions with China are concerns in the
Philippines with 84% expressing confidence in President Obama making the right
decisions in global affairs. In addition, 67% of Japanese, 67% of Filipinos, and 61%
of South Koreans believe that the United States, not China, is the leading economic
power in the region (Pew 2013).
Network and social media coverage of the typhoon and its aftermath brought
the suffering and plight of the victims to the global community and triggered donations
and aid from around the world. CNN International provided 24/7 news coverage of
the devastation to Tacloban in Leyete province and the surrounding areas as Philippine
government television and private networks were criticized for not providing sufficient
exposure of the impact of the typhoon (Reyes 2013). Although the storm was a
significant climate event, there were only a few mentions of climate change by some of
the global news networks in the coverage of the typhoon. According to Pew, MSNBC
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