Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy

Shaping debates and informing decisions on important US foreign policy issues.
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Public Opinion
Chicago Council Survey data tracks trends in American public opinion on US foreign policy since 1975.
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Analysis and policy recommendations on US foreign policy and national security.
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Policymakers and influencers share their experience and insight to keep the public informed.
Events

50 Years of Polling America

The Chicago Council Survey has provided a comprehensive view of American public opinion on important US foreign policy issues since 1974. Now in its 50th year, it remains a valuable resource for shaping debates and informing key decisions.
Explore the data.
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From the Lester Crown Center

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Most Americans Think the United States Should Pursue Global Free Trade
Ships are loaded at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Ships are loaded at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Ships are loaded at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Ships are loaded at the Port of Los Angeles Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Public Opinion
Damian Dovarganes / AP
Large majorities of the public view international trade as good for the US economy, job creation, and people like them.
A model of a missile is carried by Iranian demonstrators as minarets and dome of a mosque is seen at background A model of a missile is carried by Iranian demonstrators as minarets and dome of a mosque is seen at background A model of a missile is carried by Iranian demonstrators as minarets and dome of a mosque is seen at background A model of a missile is carried by Iranian demonstrators as minarets and dome of a mosque is seen at background Public Opinion
Vahid Salemi / AP
Six in 10 Americans Support US Participation in a Nuclear Agreement with Iran
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Demonstrators rally in Times Square on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine Demonstrators rally in Times Square on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine Demonstrators rally in Times Square on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine Demonstrators rally in Times Square on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine Public Opinion
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
Slim Majorities of Americans Still Support Aiding Ukraine
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
A collage of covers of the annual Chicago Council Survey.
Public Opinion

Why Public Opinion Surveys Matter

Featured Video
Go behind the scenes of the Chicago Council Survey as it marks 50 years of bringing the voices of everyday Americans into the foreign policy conversation.

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Center at a Glance

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Reuters
Public Opinion Surveys on US Foreign Policy

First conducted in 1974, the now annual Chicago Council Survey highlights critical trends and shifts in American views on US foreign policy over time.

A screenshot of a recording of World Review on May 22, 2020.
World Review

Former NATO Ambassador and Council CEO Ivo Daalder talks with leading media commentators about emerging global news during this live streaming show every Friday at 10 a.m. CT.

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Running Numbers Blog

A public opinion, probabilities, and everything data-related blog featuring commentary and analysis from polling and foreign policy experts.

Ivo Daalder appears on PBS Newshour
In the News

Commentary and analysis from Lester Crown Center experts featured in digital, print, and TV news.

Meet the Experts
All Lester Crown Center experts
Headshot for Dina Smeltz

Dina Smeltz

Vice President, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Dina Smeltz, a polling expert, has more than 25 years of experience designing and fielding international social and political surveys. Prior to joining the Council to lead its annual survey of American attitudes on US foreign policy, she served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department's Office of Research from 1992 to 2008.
More about Dina
Council expert Karl Friedhoff

Karl Friedhoff

Marshall M. Bouton Fellow for Asia Studies
Karl Friedhoff was a Korea Foundation-Mansfield Foundation US-Korea Nexus Scholar and a member of the Mansfield Foundation’s Trilateral Working Group prior to joining the Council. Previously, he was a program officer in the Public Opinion Studies Program at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies based in Seoul, South Korea.
More about Karl
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Craig Kafura

Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Craig Kafura is the director of public opinion and foreign policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, a Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, and a Pacific Forum Young Leader. At the Council, he coordinates work on public opinion and foreign policy and is a regular contributor to the public opinion and foreign policy blog Running Numbers.
More about Craig
All Lester Crown Center experts

Crown Center Events

During the week of the DNC in Chicago experts have a discussion of how factors like race and age play into Americans’ views on foreign policy.
Ana Miyares Photography
A Diversity of Opinion: Race, Age, and US Foreign Policy
PAST EVENT VIDEO

A conversation with polling experts during the week of the DNC in Chicago explores how factors like race and age play into Americans’ views on foreign policy.

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Canva
What Young Americans Think about Nuclear Weapons
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Experts discuss the Council’s latest polling on nuclear issues and what more can be done to engage the next generation.

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White House
Public Opinion and Foreign Policy – Does It Matter, and If So, How?
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Students within the Associated Colleges of the Midwest joined a conversation with Council experts to explore a foreign policy strategy that addresses Midwestern audiences' priorities.

Reuters
Continue the Conversation: The Legacy of America's Longest War
PAST EVENT

Following the public program “The Legacy of America’s Longest War,” Sponsor-level members and above are invited to “Continue the Conversation” with Council experts on the current and future realities in Afghanistan.