American voters' views of Cuba, France and Iraq have improved in the last two years, while
they have become more negative on Russia, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released
today that shows England at the top and Iran and North Korea at the bottom of the list.

The independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Thermometer survey asks
2,041 registered voters nationwide to rate how much of a "friend or foe" of the United States
they consider 15 countries and the Palestinian Authority, with ratings on a scale of 0 (least
friendly) to 100 degrees (most friendly). A rating of 50 degrees constitutes a neutral reading.

Feelings about France are 12 degrees warmer since the Thermometer was first conducted
in 2006, the biggest increase for any nation.

"Bring back the French fries! For the most part Americans are feeling more positively
about the rest of the world. Even Iran, a nation viewed as a pariah, has improved slightly since
2007," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"One reason might be President Barack Obama's efforts to reengage with the rest of the
world. Also, Americans are much more optimistic generally now about the future of the United
States and that may be rubbing off into their views of the rest of the world."

England, with a mean score of 80 degrees, Canada (79 degrees) and Israel (69 degrees)
are viewed as most friendly to the United States as has been the case since Quinnipiac University
began asking this question in March of 2006. North Korea (15) and Iran (17) trail the field just as
they have since then. Iran's score was up from the 15 it received in May, 2007.

"President Obama's recent overture to Cuba and talk of further improvement in ties may
be responsible for Cuba's score jumping from 23 to 30 in the last two years," said Brown.

"France's jump from 45 in 2006 to 49 in 2007 to 57 today may be a reflection of the time
that has passed since President's George W. Bush's policies led to a frosting of relations between
the two countries," Brown added.

"As for Iraq, which jumped from 26 to 36, the United States is winding down its
military effort there and U.S. casualties are down significantly, which could explain why
Americans view the country more positively."

Conversely, Americans' views of Russia have gone in the other direction, with its score
dropping from 48 to 42.

"Given the increased tension between the two countries in recent months and the growing
perception among Americans that Vladimir Putin wants Russia to return to the dominant role on
the world stage it enjoyed during the Cold War, it's not surprising that Americans feel less
warmly toward Russia," said Brown.

The only country other than Russia and Iran to see their standing decline with the
American people was Venezuela, whose leader Hugo Chavez has been a constant and outspoken
critic of the United States, but its drop from 31 to 30 is statistically insignificant.

There has been virtually no change in how Americans view the Israelis and the
Palestinians, whose government gets a 27 compared to Israel's 69.

"Nothing has changed in how American voters view Israel and the Palestinians;
Americans are still strongly in Israel's corner," said Brown.

From April 21 - 27, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,041 registered voters nationwide
with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

17. (INTRO TO Q17a-17p) I'd like to get your feelings about some countries and
governing organizations who have been in the news and what sort of a
relationship you feel they have with the United States.
I'll read the name of a country or governing organization and I'd like you to
rate how much of a friend or foe they are to the U.S. using the feeling
thermometer.
You can choose any number between 0 and 100. The higher the number, the warmer
or more friendly you feel they are to the U.S. The lower the number, the
colder or less friendly they are. If we come to a country or governing
organization of whom you haven't heard enough about to form an opinion, you
don't need to rate them. Just tell me and we'll move on to the next one.
How friendly or unfriendly do you think -- is to the U.S.?
(Mean/Average temperature ratings in this table have been rounded)