Asia

Few Pakistanis Perceive Benefits From Alliance With U.S.

Many Pakistanis see U.S. military presence in Afghanistan as a threat

October 3, 2008
A new Gallup Poll sheds light on how Pakistanis view their country’s relationship with the United States. Few Pakistanis (16%) see any benefit for their country from cooperation in the war on terrorism and 45% perceive the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan as a threat.More ...

Terrorism, Economy Dual Threats for Pakistanis

Majority believes government’s terrorism efforts are lacking

September 22, 2008
Gallup Polls in Pakistan indicate residents are increasingly worried about terrorism and the economy -- two daunting issues facing their new president, Asif Ali Zardari.More ...

Inflation Grips Indonesians, Worries Reach Record High

Roughly 4 in 10 say living standards getting worse

June 26, 2008
Rising prices were already straining many Indonesians’ budgets before a massive fuel price hike last month sent protesters to the streets. Roughly 4 in 10 Indonesians told Gallup in March of this year that their standard of living is getting worse -- the highest number to say so in three years.More ...

Indonesians Champion Religious Freedom

About half say their communities are good places for religious minorities

June 23, 2008
Gallup surveys in Indonesia consistently show roughly 9 in 10 citizens support religious freedom, but only about half say their communities are good places for religious minorities to liveMore ...

‘Satisfaction Gap’ Divides Israelis, Palestinians

Reducing quality of life differences may be one key to curbing extremism

January 11, 2008
Recent life satisfaction results from the Middle East clearly reflect sharp quality of life differences between Israelis and Palestinians. Improving Palestinians’ perceptions of efforts to reduce those gaps -- particularly by creating new jobs -- may be one way to limit the appeal of extremism in the region.More ...

Palestinians and Israelis Favor Nonviolent Solutions

Israelis split on moral justification of military attacks on civilians

January 11, 2008
In the midst of collapsing peace talks between Israel and leaders of the Palestinian Authority, Gallup examines data that find a majority of Israeli and Palestinian citizens favor nonviolent forms of resistance and negotiation -- rather than armed struggle and military solutions -- as the best way to achieve self-determination and security.More ...

Yemenis Report More Negative Emotions Than Saudis

About one-half of Yemenis say they worry a lot, versus 30% of Saudis

January 11, 2008
A 2007 Gallup Poll paints a complicated picture of well-being in Yemen. While most Yemenis report being treated with respect, many also report feelings of worry and anger. Yemenis are less likely than their neighbors in Saudi Arabia to rate their lives positively and predict a better future.More ...

Pakistani Perspectives on Sacrificing One’s Life

Two-thirds in NWFP feel it is completely justifiable to sacrifice one’s life

January 4, 2008
A suicide attack in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, leaves opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and other civilians dead. A 2007 Gallup World Poll finds residents of the North West Frontier Province to hold distinct views on sacrificing one’s life for beliefs relative to the majority of other Pakistanis.More ...

Pakistanis Say Citizens Afraid to Express Political Views

Outspoken Bhutto assassinated in climate of fear

January 4, 2008
The late Benazir Bhutto’s courage to speak out politically seems all the more significant given the climate of fear among the Pakistani electorate. In a Gallup Poll conducted earlier this year, a third of Pakistanis said “most” people in the country are afraid to openly express their political views.More ...

Saudi Arabia: Majorities Support Women's Rights

Fifty-five percent of men agree that women should be allowed to drive; 66% of women agree

December 21, 2007
A Gallup Poll conducted in Saudi Arabia finds that majorities of respondents support certain freedoms for women. Sixty-six percent of Saudi women and 55% of Saudi men agree that women should be allowed to drive a car by themselves.More ...