America Most Admired Country In The World, Global Survey Finds

This year's National Brand Index (NBI) -- a global survey ranking countries by how admired they are around the world -- has been released, and the U.S. has taken the top spot. Last year America ranked 7th. This sudden rise up the ranks is, according to the founder of NBI, remarkable and unique.

Reuters reported on Monday:

[Simon Anholt, NBI founder] believes that during the previous administration of George W. Bush the United States suffered in the world ranking with its unpopular foreign policies but since Obama was elected, and despite the recent economic turmoil, the country's status has risen globally.

"There is no other explanation," Anholt said in an interview, referring to the impact of Obama.

The survey involved 20,00 people in 20 countries around the globe.