Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity appears to resist the laws of political physics. Despite the price of oil sinking below $50 a barrel and the Russian economy falling into a tailspin, Putin’s approval ratings hover above 80 percent, seemingly defying gravity. But the numbers should not be taken at face […] Read more »
Putin and Netanyahu in the top 10 most admired in U.S. Why?
When Gallup issued its annual poll of the men Americans most admired in 2014, it featured two improbable names at No. 10: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. All things considered, 2014 wasn’t a terribly good year for either. … So how did Putin and Netanyahu […] Read more »
80% back Putin even as ruble falls
From a Western perspective, Vladimir Putin’s days as president of Russia should be numbered: The ruble has lost more than half its value, the economy is in crisis and his aggression in Ukraine has turned the country into an international pariah. And yet most Russians see Putin not as the […] Read more »
Putin, Rousseff Plunge in Bloomberg Global Poll, While Modi Soars
Three of the newest leaders in emerging markets are enjoying strong support among analysts and investors while two of the longer-standing figures plunged in popularity in a Bloomberg Global Poll. CONT. Boris Korby, Bloomberg News Read more »
Russian Approval of Putin Soars to Highest Level in Years
President Vladimir Putin’s popularity in Russia is now at its highest level in years, likely propelled by a groundswell of national pride with the annexation of Crimea in March on the heels of the Sochi Olympic Games in February. The 83% of Russians saying they approve of Putin’s leadership in […] Read more »
In U.S., Record 68% View Russia as Unfriendly or an Enemy
After a tumultuous winter in which Russia has been at odds with the West over Crimea, more than two-thirds of Americans say Russia is either unfriendly (44%) or an enemy (24%) to the U.S. This is a departure from sentiments in recent years and a record high since 1999. The […] Read more »