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.
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From the Lester Crown Center

RESEARCH Report by Karl Friedhoff
Critical Minerals, Rare Earth Elements, and the Challenges Ahead for the United States
Ore is hauled from the Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Copper Mine in Utah Ore is hauled from the Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Copper Mine in Utah Ore is hauled from the Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Copper Mine in Utah Ore is hauled from the Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Copper Mine in Utah US Foreign Policy
Rick Bowmer / AP
Washington is already behind in the race to secure critical minerals and rare earth elements. This report presents a path forward.
a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags a person holds an American flag in front of Israeli flags Public Opinion
Oded Balilty / AP
Democrats and Republicans Grapple with Internal Divisions on Israel
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Lama El Baz
Protesters gather outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regional field office in Burlington, Mass Protesters gather outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regional field office in Burlington, Mass Protesters gather outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regional field office in Burlington, Mass Protesters gather outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement regional field office in Burlington, Mass Migration
Charles Krupa / AP
American Support for Legal Immigration Reaches New Heights
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

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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.

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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 headshot

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.
More about Leslie
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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.
More about Dina
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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
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Crown Center Events

Leslie Vinjamuri, Yawei Liu, Dina Smeltz, Paul Heer on the Council stage
Ana Miyares Photography
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.

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Ana Miyares Photography
Democracy in the Age of Quantum + AI
PAST EVENT VIDEO Global Quantum Forum

Dina Smeltz, Kate Weber, and Ethan Bueno de Mesquita discuss how Americans view quantum and AI, and what it means for democracy.

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.