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.

Survey Reports

Research

Analysis and policy recommendations on US foreign policy and national security.

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Events

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.

From the Lester Crown Center

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura

Americans Reverse Course on US-China Competition

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While Republicans remain focused on limiting China's rise, a majority of Americans now favor a policy of cooperation and engagement with Beijing.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a ceremony in Pyongyang

Americans Ready to Engage North Korea, Continue to Support US-South Korea Ties

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Karl Friedhoff

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Slight Boost in American Support for Active US Role in World

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey

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Why Public Opinion Surveys Matter

Center at a Glance

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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.

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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.

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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

Leslie Vinjamuri

President & Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri joined the Council in 2025 as the president and chief executive officer, after previously serving as director of the US and the Americas program at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, known as Chatham House, in London. She brings nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of international affairs, research, policy, and public engagement.

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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.

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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

American flags lined up in front of the US Capitol ahead of President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 18, 2021.

Public Opinion and the Future of US Foreign Policy

In-Person EVENT

An expert roundtable convened in partnership with Bridging the Gap explores what public opinion data can indicate about the future of US foreign policy.

Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage

China and the World: How Citizens View Their Country's Global Future

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Join us as we discuss the results of a new survey of Chinese public opinion on foreign policy and what these findings mean for US-China relations and China's role in the world.