Commentary

“People are making the connection between a foreign policy issue and their personal financial well-being more than at any time I’ve seen in the last 15 years," Council Managing Director and Chair of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Dina Smeltz tells The Christian Science Monitor.

But both Americans and Europeans are hopeful that relations will improve in the future.

Ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit, Council experts examine deeper fractures over threat perception, alliance trust, and Washington's commitment.

Millennial and Generation Z Americans have come of age during a time of technological change, economic upheaval, and strategic overreach.

A 60-day period allowing Trump to wage war without congressional approval expires May 1. How legislators respond could influence the midterms.

Recent surveys show a rise in American skepticism of the Trump administration’s approach to domestic and foreign policy. The Council explores where they stand on the economy, immigration, alliances, and more.

The US capture of Venezuela’s Maduro echoed intents outlined by Trump in the 2025 National Security Strategy. While the action might have appealed to his Republican base, the strategy’s principles are mostly out of step with US public opinion on America’s engagement in the world.

"Beijing’s efforts to strike a nationalist chord among Chinese citizens regarding Taiwanese unification might not be easily transmitted," the Council's Dina Smeltz and Craig Kafura write.

A new Chicago Council survey finds Republicans stand apart in backing U.S. support for Israel during the war in Gaza.

Roughly six in 10 favor using US troops if Russia were to invade a NATO ally like Poland or Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.