Islamic State and international terrorism top list of Americans’ overseas concerns
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President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, gestures as he speaks about the Islamic State group, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Obama asked the U.S. Congress on Wednesday to authorize military force to "degrade and defeat" Islamic State forces in the Middle East without sustained, large-scale U.S. ground combat operations, setting lawmakers on a path toward their first war powers vote in 13 years. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Although the economy usually tops the list of Americans’ concerns, much of the news this week centerns on events overseas. We take the piblic pulse with Frank Newport, editor in chief of the Gallup Poll.
Foreign policy, particularly international terrorism, tops the list of concerns for Americans, as President Barack Obama this week announced he was seeking formal Congressional approval for authorization for using military force against the Islamic State and associated forces.
However, Americans are less likely now than in the earlier years of his administration to say that the leaders of other countries around the world have respect for President Obama.
Obama merits a higher approval rating for his handling of the domestic economy.
Also, Americans’ confidence in the mass media to report the news “fully, fairly,and accurately” is at an all-time low. Specifically, confidence in television news is at an all-time low. Only Congress scored lower on a long list of institutions.
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