A.T. Kearney reports:

WASHINGTON DC (April 26, 2005) — The United States broke into the top five for the first time in the annual ranking of the world's most globalized nations, rising to fourth place from its previous seventh in the 2005 A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY Magazine Globalization Index™. Singapore took the top spot, edging out three-time winner Ireland on the strength of its increased political engagement and foreign trade ties. Despite weaker connections with the rest of the world in the political and economic realms, the United States rose due to its technological strength. It ranked first in both the number of Internet users and secure servers. Russia experienced one of this year's biggest falls, dropping eight spots to 52nd of the 62 nations in the index as the oil-dependent economy saw a continued decline in trade as a share of gross domestic product (GDP). Perennial bottom-dweller Iran finished last for the fifth consecutive year.

Hmmm...perhaps that explains why Iran and Russia are so chummy. The seem to be members of the same dubious club.