Only 27% of Americans See Qatar As 'US Friend Or Ally': Poll

Since 1975 The Middle East’s Leading English Language Daily Sunday, August 6, 2017 • Dul Qaada 14, 1438 A.H. • 2 Riyals • Vol. XLII • No. 244 • 16 Pages • www.arabnews.com Only 27% of Americans see Qatar as ‘US friend or ally’: Poll Arab News/YouGov survey finds that most Americans who are aware BEN FLANAGAN this latest poll shows the current ten- ARAB NEWS STAFF sions between Qatar and its neighbors is of Doha diplomatic rift identify terror accusations as main reason gaining some significant attention.” LONDON: Just 27 percent of The poll also sought to measure public opinion regarding the US military Americans consider Qatar a base in Qatar. The Al-Udeid air base 69% either unsure if US military base should remain in Qatar, or think friend or ally to the US, while currently hosts more than 11,000 it should be moved many associate Doha with American soldiers. However, 49 percent accusations of terror financing, of Americans say they are unsure if it is best for the base to remain there, while an Arab News/YouGov poll has 20 percent thought that it should be found. moved somewhere else. Only 31 percent said the base should remain in Qatar. The survey of 2,263 US citizens, con- The study also revealed several find- ducted in July, also found that 31 per- ings regarding the Qatar-owned Al cent of Americans consider Qatar to be Jazeera news network. At one point dur- unfriendly toward or an enemy of their ing the crisis the Anti-Terror Quartet country, while 43 percent either do not (ATQ) — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, know or are unsure about how to clas- Bahrain and Egypt — called for a shut- sify the relationship with Doha. down of the network over its editorial The Arab News/YouGov poll on how guidelines, which allegedly permitted the US views the Qatar crisis was carried terror-related content. out to mark the 60 days since the start According to the Arab News/YouGov of the diplomatic rift between Doha and poll, more than six in 10 Americans are its Arab neighbors Saudi Arabia, the aware of Al Jazeera — but many of UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. those have negative perceptions of it. HOW SEES TIES It found that 71 percent of Americans Half believe that Al Jazeera has a nega- US QATAR’S TERROR are aware, to various extents, of the tive influence on the US image abroad. diplomatic row. It also found that those A majority of those with an opinion on who are aware have a good understand- the matter also believe the network of Americans who are aware of diplomatic rift with Doha recognize it is ing of the reasons behind the crisis, gives a platform to terror groups linked with 67 percent correctly identifying to Osama bin Laden — with 44 percent 67% over terror accusations that Qatar had been accused of support- agreeing with that statement, and only ing terror groups and meddling with 18 percent saying the opposite. The rest the internal affairs of regional coun- of the US respondents — 38 percent tries. — were unsure. not sure if US military base should remain in Qatar, or think it should move “Two months into the crisis, and When asked about their general per- 69% given the US government’s keenness to ceptions of Qatar, the poll found that 50 mediate, it was important to gauge the percent did not have enough informa- sentiment of the American people with tion. regard to this issue,” said Faisal J. Of those who did, the greatest propor- of those aware of Al Jazeera associate it with giving a platform to terror Abbas, editor in chief of Arab News. tion of US citizens — 34 percent — groups linked to Osama bin Laden Stephan Shakespeare, CEO of YouGov associate Qatar with accusations of ter- 44% — the globally renowned online poll- ror financing, compared to just 16 per- ing company — noted that the cent who cited the Gulf state’s contro- American public “is not usually charac- versial hosting of the 2022 FIFA World What the world thinks terized by its high interest in foreign Cup. affairs, rather the opposite. However, Detailed reports — Pages 2, 3 & 9 Writing on the poll !ndings Americans In the Middle Bad news tuned into the East, money can’t for ‘Brand Qatar crisis buy you love Qatar’

STEPHAN SHAKESPEARE SIR JOHN JENKINS FAISAL J. ABBAS 2 CEO & FOUNDER OF YOUGOV 3 CORRESPONDING DIRECTOR, IISS 9 EDITOR IN CHIEF Lebanese army targets Daesh in Ras Baalbek NAJIA HOUSSARI ies and prisoners, and moving the SPECIAL TO ARAB NEWS displaced (families), was financed by the Norwegian Red Cross with a BEIRUT: The Lebanese army on contribution from the Dutch Red Saturday said it targeted Daesh posi- Cross,” the LRC said. tions in Ras Baalbek, resulting in “Upon the request of the Lebanese “the destruction of many fortifica- General Security (LGS),” the LRC tions and vehicles,” and “many con- said it “performed the process of the firmed casualties among the terror- prisoner and dead-body exchange ists.” between the two adversaries, and The army started using advanced transported some detainees held by weaponry, including airstrikes, Lebanese authorities.” against Daesh in the past few days, The LRC said the LGS also Lebanon’s official National News Lebanese soldiers take part in a recent parade at a military assigned it “the task of managing Agency (NNA) reported. academy in Fayadyeh, near Beirut. (Reuters) logistics, escorting and convoys, and A Lebanese military source told transporting the sick and wounded.” Arab News: “Army rocket launchers Lebanese Defense Minister ble of choosing when and how to Accordingly, the LRC said it con- and cannons have been intensifying Yaqoub Sarraf on Friday said the fight any battle, and no political tacted the Syrian Red Crescent, their bombardment of Daesh posts, fighting “will only end when the last party has any right to pressure which provided 161 vehicles with and fear is evident among its mem- inch of (Lebanese) territory is liber- (it)… There are no national, different capacities that entered bers.” ated and all kidnapped soldiers are regional or international forces that Lebanon. freed. The army is our sole protector can pressure the army.” Hezbollah Secretary-General 31 > and we do not seek advice from Meanwhile, the Lebanese Red Hassan Nasrallah said JFS was no anyone.” Cross (LRC) explained in a state- longer holding prisoners from his He added that the army “is ment the role it played in Arsal after party. equipped with vehicles and methods the cease-fire deal between He added that Hezbollah fought that can be relied upon to make the Hezbollah and Jabhat Fateh in Arsal “with capabilities, weapons decisions it deems necessary.” Al-Sham (JFS). and expertise we received with full 9 771319 833054 The army “is the only party capa- “The process of exchanging bod- support from Iran.” .com ARAB NEWS/YOUGOV POLL Sunday, August 6, 2017 2 Americans urge censorship of terror content amid Qatar media row

ARAB NEWS

LONDON: Most American citizens believe that the AL JAZEERA: 44% SEE IT AS A Qatar-funded Al Jazeera TV network promotes a negative image of the US abroad, with many ‘TERROR PLATFORM’ saying it also acts as a platform for terror groups linked to Osama Most US residents polled are aware of the Qatar-funded TV network – but 44% of bin Laden, according to an Arab News/YouGov those associate it with being a platform for groups linked to Osama bin Laden poll.

The survey of 2,263 people found a high awareness of 63% Aware of Al Jazeera 37% Not Aware Al Jazeera among Americans — but also a generally negative public opinion about the network. Slightly more than half Quality of news reporting Promoting US image abroad said that Al Jazeera has a negative influence on the Poor quality 35% Promotes negative influence 50% US image abroad, the survey revealed. And a High quality 28% Promotes positive influence 12% majority of those with an opinion on the matter also Not sure 37% Not sure 38% believe that the network gives a platform to terror groups linked to Osama bin Laden — with 44 percent Influence on US public Platform to terror groups agreeing with that opinion about the Arab world linked to Osama bin Laden statement, and only 18 percent saying the opposite. The rest of the US Negative influence 40% Giving a platform to terror groups 44% respondents — 38 percent — were unsure. Positive influence 21% Refusing to provide platform 18% The Arab News/YouGov Not sure poll, conducted in July, was Not sure 39% 38% carried out to mark the 60 days since the start of the diplomatic rift between Doha and its Arab neighbors Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt More than half of US citizens support censorship of terror content and Bahrain. Should TV channels censor content which promotes terrorist causes or incites hatred? At one point during the crisis, the Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) called for a Yes No Not sure shutdown of Al Jazeera over its editorial guidelines, 55% 19% 26% which allegedly permitted terror-related content. Al Jazeera executives have denied such claims. Arab News contacted Al Jazeera requesting comment but did not receive a response. Americans tuned into the Qatar crisis The hard truth about Qatar’s HE crisis over Qatar has cre- they most closely associate with the ated deep diplomatic tensions country and the most common asso- in the Arab world, and they ciation was “being accused of financ- ‘soft power’ failure are now playing out onto an ing terror groups,” chosen by a third. Tinternational stage. The US is, of Even with the high publicity sur- Qatar has spent hundreds of billions of dollars propping up the course, a hugely significant influence rounding the FIFA World Cup 2022 Al Jazeera network and in preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. on the region so it is valuable to soccer tournament, only 16 percent understand how the disputes have associated Qatar with being the host Yet both have been dismal failures in making the right impression been understood by the American pub- of the championship. among Americans, as the Arab News / YouGov poll shows. RAY HANANIA lic. As part of our partnership with The poll found that 71 percent of Arab News to research and analyse an Americans claim some degree of HE cost runs into hun- than two decades — continue to be 2022 FIFA World Cup, one of the trust Al Jazeera’s reporting. international perspective on the Arab awareness of the dispute between Qatar dreds of billions of dollars dogged by serious image problems biggest sporting events in the world. Half believe Al Jazeera promotes world, YouGov surveyed a representa- and the Gulf Cooperation Council STEPHAN SHAKESPEARE — but has it been money in the US. The poll highlights a very impor- a negative images of the US, while tive sample of over 2,000 Americans (GCC) nations. Among those, 67 per- down the drain for Doha? According to the YouGov/Arab tant point that the battle for 44 percent remember that it served two-to-one they associate it with giving TQatar has over the past years News survey, nearly half of American hearts and minds is still as a platform in promoting terror- between July 19-21, 2017. cent identify the root cause being accu- We tested American perceptions of sations of Qatar supporting terror a platform to terrorist groups and hav- spent big on so-called “soft power” Americans polled are unsure about an open playing field. ist groups linked to Osama bin six Arab states in terms of whether groups and meddling with the internal ing a negative influence on the image moves, from the launch of Al whether Qatar is a friend or foe, And this is significant given that Laden. they were seen as allies or “enemies.” affairs of other GCC countries. of the Arab world. In spite of America’s Jazeera English in 2006, to the con- while 31 percent consider it America maintains a major military There is no doubt over the reli- Egypt was considered an ally or Americans are divided over the issue of liberal laws on publication, by 55 per- troversial bid to host the FIFA World “unfriendly” or an “enemy.” presence at the Al-Udeid Air Force ability of the findings of the poll, friend of the US by 47 percent of how their country should react to the cent to 19 percent Americans favour Cup in 2022, to its investment in the A further barometer of Qatar’s Base in Qatar. Half of Americans which was conducted from July image problem comes in the find- polled said they do not know enough respondents, compared with 39 per- situation: 49 percent of aware respon- censorship of TV content that pro- Paris St-Germain football club, 19-21 by YouGov, one of the world’s which just sealed the record-break- ings about what US citizens associ- to decide whether the US should keep leading market research companies. cent for the UAE and 37 percent for dents are unsure if their military air motes terrorist causes or incites hatred. The American public is not usual- ing $263 million transfer deal for ate with Qatar. the base open in the face of growing Nor is there any doubt over one Saudi Arabia, ahead of Qatar at 27 base should remain in Qatar, while 31 Brazil forward Neymar. Half of respondents said they do concerns, with a fifth saying it should of the key takeaway points: That percent, Iraq at 19 percent, and Syria percent agree it should remain, and 20 ly characterized by its strong interest in foreign affairs, rather the opposite. Yet the recent survey carried out not know enough about the Gulf be relocated elsewhere. Qatar’s soft-power plays have been at 8 percent. percent think it should be moved. by Arab News and YouGov, pub- state to pass judgement. Yet the The poll also shows that most nothing but own goals. Qatar was the least known of the In contrast to the low familiarity However, this latest poll shows the current tensions between Qatar and lished today, suggests such bids for next highest response rate — at Americans, at 63 percent, recog- six, with 43 percent unable to express with Qatar, the country’s Al Jazeera international favor are proving some 34 percent — reflects those nize Al-Jazeera as a news source, — Ray Hanania is an award- a judgment on the country. Of those media network has achieved high its neighbors are gaining some significant attention. deeply unsuccessful. whom associate Qatar with the but they do not believe that the winning Palestinian-American that do claim knowledge of Qatar, the awareness. The broadcaster is known It is telling that Qatar and Al accusations of terror financing network reflects professional former journalist and political picture they paint is somewhat nega- by 63 percent of Americans, but their — Stephan Shakespeare is the Jazeera — despite the latter having made against it. Only 16 percent of journalism standards, which columnist. Email him at tive. We asked them what attributes impressions are negative: by around CEO and founder of YouGov. a presence in America for more Americans associate Qatar with the means many Americans do not [email protected]. HOW THE POLL WAS CONDUCTED YOUGOV wider impact on public opinion standing of the crisis in Qatar. flict between the four Arab countries 2,263 Americans on YouGov’s online (Democrat, Republican, indepen- voters, and 48 percent fell between remains unclear. The aim of the research was to — Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and panel covering all US states. The dent and others), and voter registra- the ages of 31 and 60. Respondents to T has been a little over two As part of the continued partner- explore America’s familiarity with Bahrain — and Qatar, and impor- total sample achieved is representa- tion status. the survey answered 19 closed-ended months since the start of the ship between YouGov and Arab and perception of Arab states, in tantly their perception of Qatar fol- tive of the US population by gender, There was a near-even gender split questions. Arab diplomatic crisis. Whilst News to reveal American views of particular which countries they con- lowing the accusations of its support age, ethnicity (white, Hispanic, among respondents with 49 percent The overall margin of error is there has been significant cov- the Arab world, YouGov conducted sider to be an enemy or ally. It asked for terrorism. black, and others) and education. males and 51 percent females taking considered to be low (2.2 percent), Ierage and interest surrounding the an opinion poll among US citizens citizens about their degree of knowl- The poll was conducted online The survey also captured informa- part in the survey. The majority of the compared to the 3 percent industry dispute with Qatar in the region, its about their awareness and under- edge and understanding of the con- between July 19-21, 2017 among tion such as political affiliation sample, 72 percent, were registered average. .com ARAB NEWS/YOUGOV POLL Sunday, August 6, 2017 3 Doha ‘losing !ght for US public opinion’

More than a third of Americans associate Qatar with accusations of THE QATAR RIFT IN AMERICAN EYES terror financing, Arab News/YouGov poll finds

‘somewhat aware’ of know very little know nothing Qatar ‘failing miserably in attempting 12% very aware 31% Qatar diplomatic crisis 29% about it 28% about it to convince Americans that it is in the right,’ says Syrian-American analyst SIGNIFICANT AWARENESS OVER CAUSE OF CRISIS

Two-thirds of Americans who are aware of the dispute correctly identified the reason for the rift — that BEN FLANAGAN Qatar had been accused of supporting terror groups. ARAB NEWS STAFF Reasons for the dispute LONDON: Qatar is losing its battle to win favorable public Four countries are accusing Qatar of supporting what they describe as 67% opinion in the US, with more than a third of Americans terror groups and meddling with their internal affairs. Border dispute between Qatar and four countries 17% linking Doha with accusations of terror financing, an Arab Four countries have demanded a regime change in Qatar News/YouGov poll has found. 14% Other 18% The poll of 2,263 US citizens, conducted in July, suggests that Qatar is “failing miserably” in its effort to convince Americans it is in the right over the row with its Arab neighbors, according to one analyst. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties with Qatar WHAT AMERICANS ASSOCIATE WITH QATAR two months ago, accusing Doha of supporting terror groups and meddling with their internal affairs. The Arab News/YouGov poll found that 71 percent of Americans are aware, Being accused of financing terror groups 34% to various extents, of the diplomatic row. Being rich and having massive natural resources 26% It also found that those who are aware of it have a good understanding of Being accused of having inhumane labor conditions 16% the reasons behind the crisis, with 67 percent correctly identifying the factors behind it. Host of the FIFA World Cup 2022 (soccer) 16% In the wake of the diplomatic row, the poll found that the US public view Providing education and charity to poor countries 5% Qatar in a negative light. Just 27 percent of Americans consider Qatar as a friend or ally to the US, while Other 2% 31 percent consider Qatar to be an enemy of their country. Almost half either Don't know enough about Qatar 50% don’t know or are unsure about how to classify the relationship with Doha. Oubai Shahbandar, a Syrian-American analyst and fellow at the New very aware America Foundation’s International Security Program, said that the data show that Qatar is losing the fight for American public opinion. “The numbers make a fairly strong case that despite its best efforts, Qatar is failing miserably in attempting to convince Americans that it is in the ALLY OR ENEMY: US PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF QATAR right,” Shahbandar told Arab News. “Perhaps Doha would be best served in saving the millions that it will of Americans are unsure if Qatar is think Qatar is unfriendly think Qatar is an ally spend in its public relations campaign in the US and instead just do the right 43% an ally or enemy of the US 31% or an enemy of the US 27% or friendly country thing and agree to meaningful steps that end financial support to terror and extremist incitement.” Perceived relationship between selected Arab countries and the US: Shahbandar added that the poll has helped clarify where Americans stand on the diplomatic rift between Doha and the Anti-Terror Quartet — namely MOST FRIENDLY LEAST FRIENDLY Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. “Deciding who was the villain and which side stood by principles that coincided with US strategic interests was no easy matter for thought leaders and your average American voter. That said, the recent data from YouGov has helped crystalize just where the American public stands — and the data is damning for the Qatari side,” he 47% 39% 37% 8% 19% 27% said. Shahbandar pointed to the millions of dollars that Doha spends on lobby- *Percentages reflect proportion of American respondents who think country is an ally or friendly toward the US ing and public relations campaigns in the US — much of which is centered 69% of Americans not sure if US military base should remain in Qatar, or think it should be moved around the US military presence in Qatar. The Al-Udeid Air Base currently hosts more than 11,000 American soldiers. The base should remain in Qatar 31% However, 49 percent of Americans say they are unsure if it is best for the base It should be moved to some other place in the region 20% to remain there, while 20 percent thought that it should be moved somewhere else, according to the Arab News/YouGov poll. Only 31 percent said the Not sure 49% base should remain in Qatar. “The center of the Qatari media strategy is to highlight to the American public the defense cooperation between the two countries — anchored by the presence in Qatar of Al-Udeid Air Base,” Shahbandar said. VIEW OF TERROR GROUPS QATAR ALLEGEDLY SUPPORTS “Despite that, 43 percent of Americans are unsure if Qatar is an ally or an enemy of the US. This is a startling find ... that a country which has hosted Three quarters of US respondents perceive Al-Qaeda and the Taliban unfavorably thousands of American military men and women for over a decade is still Syria 29% unable to garner the goodwill of the American public.” Al-Qaeda 76% 6% 4% 14% The poll found that very few US citizens associate Qatar with the 2022 The Taliban 75% 6% 5% 14% World Cup, with more making the link to the terror financing allegations against Doha. Muslim Brotherhood 55% 14% 6% 25% “What should concern Doha is that of those Americans who were aware of the crisis, a significant amount (two-thirds) of those polled blamed Qatar Hamas 53% 10% 4% 33% for initiating the dispute due to support of terror groups,” Shahbandar said. “The Qatari public relations narrative has attempted to paint the dispute as a result of an effort by the Anti-Terror Quartet Arab states to impose con- Unfavorable Neutral Favorable Don't Know trol over Doha’s sovereignty. Nonetheless, that line seems to have fallen on deaf ears amongst a wide swath of Americans.” In the Middle East, money can’t buy you love

HE new Arab News/YouGov to believe it — also told us some- Middle East is becoming a more worst, with strongly negative acceptable than Al-Qaeda and Daesh Karl Popper, the distinguished poll on US perceptions of thing important about the power of pressing concern for a significant views associated with the country — often on the grounds that they defender of open societies against the current dispute wishful thinking. number of Americans. over issues such as terror financ- are committed to an Islamist version their totalitarian enemies, made between Qatar and some So what does this poll tell us That is perhaps hardly surprising and Al Jazeera’s news report- of the democratic process and the clear over half a century ago: Tof its Arab neighbors is both inter- about US attitudes to the various ing given the viciousness and per- ing. Qatar’s humanitarian, edu- nation state — a high plurality of Wisdom is not the preserve of elites. esting and complex. actors in this current dispute? To sistence of armed conflict in the cational and development efforts the respondents to the poll remain It emerges in the collective attitudes Interpreted properly, credible give a properly considered answer region. But it shows a relatively are unrecognized. That is almost rightly suspicious of them. and decisions of ordinary people, opinion polling is a highly valuable to this question, of course, I would high level of sophistication to link certainly not the case in parts of That represents a failure of the their instincts and their common SIR JOHN JENKINS tool for understanding the reality of need to study the data and method- these conflicts to wider political the wider Middle East: Qatar has project to frame them as essential sense. We have seen that in various popular positions and their under- ology in more detail. But my initial disputes between individual states long been a generous donor to participants in any future political- forms in Egypt, in Libya, in Tunisia, Saudi Arabia. He was also the lying causes. reactions are as follows. First, there over the future of the region. And Gaza, for example. security dispensation in a recon- in Iraq and in the Gulf over the last Benghazi-based British Special For example, the repeat polling is a surprising level of awareness of it is here that we see perhaps the But even here simply spending structed Arab Middle East and North seven years. You can’t buy that. And Representative to the National in Egypt that revealed how rapidly the core problem — security, stabil- most interesting point. There is a money doesn’t guarantee popularity. Africa. The same applies to the you shouldn’t want to. Transitional Council and later support for the Freedom and Justice ity and counter-terrorism. This has high level of support for the view In Libya, as I witnessed at first hand Taliban in Afghanistan. That should ambassador to Libya during the Party (FJP) and the Muslim been widely covered in the serious that Egypt and the UAE are friends in 2011, if people think you are give pause to those who think that — Sir John Jenkins is 2011 revolution, ambassador to Brotherhood fell off a cliff between US press — the New York Times, the of the US. Saudi Arabia has spending money to buy their affec- various forms of political Islamism Corresponding Director (Middle Iraq, Syria and Burma and con- early 2012 and 2013 — and why it Washington Post and so forth. But ground to make up here, which is tions while seeking to manipulate — all of them with at least a con- East) at the International sul-general in Jerusalem. In a did so — told those who were pre- their readerships tend to be elite an important policy point for the political situation to advance textual willingness to deploy tacti- Institute for Strategic Studies 35-year career in the British dip- pared to listen something very and liberal. The poll suggests that decision-makers in Riyadh: your own interests and those of cal violence to achieve their aims (IISS), based in Manama, lomatic service, he also lived and important about the fragility of anyone who follows the news has a Reputation matters in the mod- selected clients, it will not end well. — need to be reintegrated into Bahrain. He is also a Senior worked in Kuwait, the UAE and their position. The fact that the relatively high level of awareness ern world and you do not improve And in spite of efforts over the last national political processes without Fellow at Yale University’s Malaysia. He was director for the Brotherhood members themselves not just of the dispute but of wider that without a smart, targeted decade or so to persuade people that any fundamental change in their Jackson Institute for Global Middle East and North Africa in failed to understand this — and factors including Syria and Iraq. and sustained communications Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood approach. Affairs. Until January 2015, he the Foreign Office in London their external sympathizers refused And that in turn suggests that the strategy. But Qatar comes off are both distinct from and more And it points to something that was the British ambassador to from 2007-2009.