Global Peace Index: We’re 96th! We’re 96th!

Iran, U.S. have something in common: Both rank high in violence, By BARRY SCHWEID, ASSOCIATED PRESS

The United States placed 96th [in an assessment of the peacefulness of 121 countries] and Iran came in 97th on the global index released Wednesday by researchers at the Economist magazine.

“The United States suffers because it is the world’s policeman, with high levels of militarization,” Andrew Williamson, the director for economic research, said in an interview. …

Norway was rated at the country most at peace, followed by New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland and Japan. Iraq was in last place, with Sudan and Israel just above. …

Western Europe was rated the world’s most peaceful region, although France was ranked 34th and the United Kingdom 49th. …

About 24 indicators were used, including wars fought in the last five years, arms sales, prison populations and incidence of crime. …

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/NEWS07/70531018/1009

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