Another one to carry on his back today (Congrats USA) ! :
World's most well-liked countries
Lauren Sherman, ForbesTraveler.com - Tue Oct 6, 4:47 PM
For the first time since 2005 when Simon Anholt--an independent policy adviser to 20 national, regional and city governments--started conducting the survey, the U.S. has been named the most admired country in the world, climbing six spots in the rankings from 2008. Rounding out the top five are other beloved countries like France, Germany, the U.K. and Japan.
Anholt attributed the U.S.' rank to global confidence in Obama. He also believes that former president George W. Bush's incredibly unpopular foreign policy pulled the country down in terms of image. After he left office this year, the only way for the U.S. to go was up. "The country's position was artificially depressed by Bush," says Anholt.
An increase in U.S. popularity meant a decrease for its neighbor Canada. The country dropped three spots.
"I prophesied that if the image of the U.S. ever improved, the perception of Canada would suffer," says Anholt. While Canada scores high for its friendly people and beautiful landscape, outsiders know little else about the country's culture. All they do believe, Anholt deduces, is that Canada is the opposite of the United States in policy. "If the U.S. is illiberal, intolerant and aggressive, then Canada is liberal, tolerant and passive," he says. "Now the seesaw has gone the other way, and Canada is losing its identity."
full story here :
http://ca.travel.yahoo.com/guides/Other/776/worlds-most-well-liked-countries