Poll: Sectarianism, Syria Drive Negative Image of Iran
The rise of sectarian tensions as a result of the Syrian conflict, and Iran’s support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have contributed to negative perceptions of Iran in the region, according to a new Zogby poll, reports Barbara Slavin.
WASHINGTON — Once admired by the Arab street for leading “resistance” to the United States and Israel, Iran has continued a steady decline in regional public opinion in large part because of its support for the Syrian regime and the growth of sectarianism in the Muslim world, new polling shows.
Data compiled by Zogby Research Services builds on prior surveys that revealed a collapse of support for Iran in most Arab countries in 2011 compared to 2006. That was when Iran was viewed favorably by many Arabs because of its support for Hezbollah in a month-long war with Israel and overall defiance of the West.
