Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy

Shaping debates and informing decisions on important US foreign policy issues.
More About the Center
A string of various countries' flags hangs between two buildings
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.
All Research
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.
The number 50 in a speech bubble

From the Lester Crown Center

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Americans Grow More Divided on US Support for Israel
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip Public Opinion
Jehad Alshrafi / AP
Republicans support US backing for Israel until its military objectives in Gaza are achieved, while majorities of Democrats now oppose it.
President Donald Trump poses during a group photo of NATO heads of state and government at the NATO summit in The Hague President Donald Trump poses during a group photo of NATO heads of state and government at the NATO summit in The Hague President Donald Trump poses during a group photo of NATO heads of state and government at the NATO summit in The Hague President Donald Trump poses during a group photo of NATO heads of state and government at the NATO summit in The Hague Public Opinion
Geert Vanden Wijngaert / AP
A Crisis in Confidence: European Public Opinion in the Trump Era
Blog Running Numbers by Tim O'Brien
US President Donald Trump in front of a NATO flag US President Donald Trump in front of a NATO flag US President Donald Trump in front of a NATO flag US President Donald Trump in front of a NATO flag Public Opinion
Evan Vucci / AP
Americans Endorse US Commitment to NATO, Though GOP Support Has Dipped
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.

Center at a Glance

Shadows of people standing in front of an American flag
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 list of numbers in a collection of data on a computer screen
Running Numbers Blog

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

Cecile Shea on Fox 32 Chicago with a split screen showing Trump's visit to the Middle East.
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
headshot of Craig Kafura

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

Sullivan speaks on the Council's stage.
Ana Miyares Photography
Jake Sullivan on How Foreign Policy Should Resonate at Home
PAST EVENT VIDEO Lester Crown Lecture

Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan delivers the Lester Crown Distinguished Lecture on US Foreign Policy.

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.

a nuclear cloud
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.

Biden in front of a screen at a climate summit.
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.