Peace Index: US better than Iran, but worse than Yemen.

According to a Reuters story by Deborah Charles,

The United States is among the least peaceful nations in the world, ranking 96th between Yemen and Iran, according to a new index released on Wednesday that evaluates 121 nations based on their peacefulness.

According to the Global Peace Index, created by The Economist Intelligence Unit, Norway is the most peaceful nation in the world and Iraq is the least, just after Russia, Israel and Sudan.

"The objective of the Global Peace Index was to go beyond a crude measure of wars by systemically exploring the texture of peace," said Global Peace Index President Clyde McConaghy...

"Democracy didn't actually correlate with peace, but a well-functioning democracy did. Efficient, accountable government seems to be the leading determinant of peace. Beyond that, income helps."

Madagascar is 41, the United Kingdom 49, Libya 58, Cuba 59, China 60, Bosnia and Hercegovina 75, Syria 77, Serbia 84, Lebanon 114.