We're Number One. Really.

According to a recent global poll, the United States now ranks number one as the most admired country:

The United States is the most admired country globally thanks largely to
the star power of President Barack Obama and his administration, according to a
new poll.

It climbed from seventh place last year, ahead of France, Germany, the
United Kingdom and Japan which completed the top five nations in the Nation
Brand Index (NBI).

"What's really remarkable is that in all my years studying national
reputation, I have never seen any country experience such a dramatic change in
its standing as we see for the United States for 2009," said Simon Anholt, the
founder of NBI, which measured the global image of 50 countries each year.