A 2017 study from the Pew Research Center titled Global Attitudes Survey shows the public opinion on the MENA region's key players and the countries with the greatest influence.
The survey is based on medians from various countries in the Middle East. It highlights countries with increasing prominence in the MENA region, views on the Syrian war, opinions, and ratings of leaders of different nations such as Erdogan, Assad, Rouhani, and Netanyahu.
Here are the top 6 influential countries according to the Washington-based think tank's recent survey:
1. Russia
Around 64 percent of the public surveyed believe Russia's role in the region has increased in the last decade, 15 percent think its role remained as is, while 13 percent said it lessened.
Opinions from Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey backed the Russian prominence in the Middle East.
2. Turkey
Turkey came in second, just one percent below Russia, at 63 percent.
The public was favorable of Erdogan in Jordan (66 percent), however, it maintained more neutrality in Tunisia and Lebanon, 59 percent and 42 percent respectively.
3. The United States of America
The U.S. has always been a key player in the region. Around 62 percent of the people surveyed believe its influence has increased over the last 10 years.
4. Iran
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani received mostly negative views with the least favorable percentage (3 percent) coming from Jordan.
5. Israel
Views of Israel's Netanyahu were 'extremely poor.' On a scale from 0-100 (100 being most favorable), he scored 0 in Lebanon, 1 in Jordan, and 7 in Tunisia and Turkey.
6. Saudi Arabia
Regional medians revealed that 41 percent of the people surveyed think Saudi Arabia's role has become more important today in comparison to 10 years ago.