In a new study by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, and experts from a variety of think-tanks, the United States has ranked 96th out of 121 countries in terms of its adherence to "peace." While a difficult concept to define, the study developed a Global Peace Index (GPI) that measures 24 indicators ranging from a nation's military expenditures to its respect for human rights. These numbers were then compared to potential determinants of peace including levels of democracy and government transparency, education, and material wellbeing.

At 96, the United States is ranked just above its frequently declared enemy Iran. The United States' poor ranking was due in large part to the high percentage of its population that is incarcerated as well as its worldwide troop deployments. Recent victims of US wars and allies of the United States ranked poorly. Iraq was ranked last, while the Afghanistan could not be ranked due to a lack of available data. Israel was ranked 119th due to its ongoing occupation of Palestine, while Colombia--a major ally in the United States' "War on Drugs"--was ranked 116th.

The highest ranking countries were New Zealand, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Finland, Sweden, and our neighbor Canada.