AMERICANA / DOES ANYONE OUT THERE LIKE US(A) ANYMORE?

THREE AMIGOS 2026 VERSION

On our 250th national birthday, who can we invite to help us blow out the cake candles. Like who are our pals (remaining) on the planet? We're looking for the pro-American outliers, not the polite NATO dinner guests. The short list starts here: 

Kosovo — probably the most emotionally pro-American country in Europe. The U.S. is remembered as essential to Kosovo’s liberation and independence, and recent Gallup-linked reporting put Kosovo first in approval of American policies. 

 Albania — very strongly pro-U.S. Gallup reported that Albania and Poland were the only NATO countries in 2025 where majorities approved of U.S. leadership, with Albania at 64%. 

 Vietnam -- we lost the war, left in disgrace, and somehow they maintain one of Asia's warmer views of the USA. 

Poland — not Balkan-style affection, but deep strategic gratitude and fear of Russia. Same Gallup report put Poland at 68% approval of U.S. leadership, the highest among NATO allies. 

 North Macedonia — generally pro-U.S./pro-NATO, especially compared with much of Europe. Recent Balkan polling found Romania, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo were the country’s most likely to prioritize strong relations with NATO and the U.S. 

 Romania — not sentimental like Kosovo, but reliably Atlanticist and Russia-wary. It shows up with Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia as one of the Balkan publics prioritizing NATO/U.S. ties. 

 Japan and South Korea — less gushy, more practical. Both still view the U.S. favorably in Pew’s 2025 survey, and both need the U.S. security umbrella because of China, North Korea, and regional pressure. 

 Kenya and Nigeria — among the more U.S.-positive publics in Pew’s 2025 survey. They are not “allies” in the NATO sense, but the public temperature toward America is warmer than in most of Western Europe. And, where else but Nigeria can we count on for scummy scams? 

Italy -- here we have a friend who still invites you to dinner, kisses both cheeks, pours the wine, and then spends the second course telling you our president is a Pazzo. 

Philippines -- look who's back. Since 2016, America's clearest new-old friend is probably the Philippines. They were once an ally that drifted toward China under Duarte, then came roaring back toward Washington when Beijing got too aggressive in the South China Sea. 

Guam -- If America wants to know who still believes in the republic, it might look west. Guam has worn the flag for more than a century, sent its sons and daughters into America's wars, hosted America's defenses, and still lacks a presidential vote. Few places have given more while asking for less. 

Belize -- Belize is not waving pom-poms for Washington, but it remains one of America’s quieter neighborhood friends: English-speaking, Caribbean-minded, security-conscious, and willing to work with the U.S. without making a parade of it. 

Bottomline: If you're mulling where to spend your foreign travel dollars you might glance at this list before deciding.