Popularity Overrated in Geopolitics

Would you prefer to be in Ukraine or Israel's position? Ukrainians are popular round the world, yet their reality is daily bombardment by an evil enemy who kidnaps their children and wants to brainwash them into being Russian. Their front is a slaughterhouse for their young men. Israel on the other hand is now "unpopular" round the world, but they can sleep at night because their enemies are decimated. 

Who would you rather be?

Point is, the only time it was "popular" to be American in my adult life was post-9/11. So take that as you will.