Is flying outside the US safe?

I have been a long time aviation lover and pilot.

Years ago I flew on an airliner that was not recommended from Kenya to Cairo. There were no problems except that they seemed to be fallowing the Nile River instead of using any other navigation.

The US seems to have the strictest standards in the world.

I have been explaining to a friend of mind that flying is safe. I have explained that most accidents were caused by a series of stupid mistakes. It seems most accidents are now caused by a series of stupid mistakes or lack of proper maintenance/inspections. As I have explained accidents to her, I have started to wander if flying outside the US is safe. It seems there are more accidents now. It also seems that many are caused by people cutting corners to save money or a series of extremely stupid mistakes.

Am I correct?

I know I will now look closely at who agencies book me on. Before I just assumed that everyone was safe.

 

Also is there a quick and easy way to determine the safety record of an airline, either US or foreign?