When asked to rank various countries on a scale with 10 being the most influential, both Russians and Americans rated the US above 8—Americans (8.77) and Russians (8.74). Respondents to the World Public Opinion.org and Levada Center poll did not rate any other nation near 8. Russians gave the next highest influence ranking (7.14) to the European Union.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber flew from Europe across the Middle East to the Persian Gulf on July 25 in a 32-hour flight, as conflicts continued to roil the area with U.S. troops coming under attack in Iraq and Syria on July 25 and July 26, U.S. officials told…