The results of a survey published by the Pew Research Center on America’s place in the world leaves us interesting data, because it reflects the opinions of the general public as well as leaders in this case members of the Council of Foreign Relations, the most influential independent organization in that country in international affairs. As happened after the Great Depression of 1929 or the recession and the withdrawal from Vietnam in the 70s of last century, the current global financial crisis has strengthened isolationist sentiment among Americans, the highest that has been in the last four decades. Also the results of public opinion make clear that the U.S. global weight has been reduced, although most believe that this country continues to military superiority on the planet, while economically it has been overtaken by China. There is a consensus in American public opinion, it is preferable to a system of shared international leadership, but premium view that the U.S. must pay attention to their own fundamental problems, especially from the public in general. For the public respondent, as well as for most of the leaders, there is agreement that the main threats to the welfare of the American Union are concentrated in developing nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. To that they add up in order of instability in Pakistan, Islamic extremism, the financial crisis and climate change.

Added to these threats, are also identified as major global problems, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, war, terrorism, violence. American leaders who were part of the study believe that U.S. foreign policy must give priority to the reduction of stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, reduce energy imports, ie reducing energy dependence on other countries combating drug trafficking and illegal immigration and other neuralgic issues. The worrying thing for Latin America, is that their invisibility is notable in the findings of the study. While Brazil and Mexico, in that order are present, the rest seems to be of importance to citizens and leaders.

In the case of Brazil, is identified as an important ally in the future, but ranks third in importance after China and India. Mexico, has an ambiguous opinions, mostly as economic ally in the fight against drug trafficking. The rest of the region is not present as an ally or priority, or as a threat or problem. Therefore, Latin American governments must take into account exceptions that American eyes this year 2010, so symbolic for the region, are primarily inward looking, and globally to distant places and problems in Latin America.