Past Events

Public Opinion and the Future of US Foreign Policy

PAST 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.

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

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.

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

Commentary

Where Americans Stand on the Iran War

In the News
India Today
Craig Kafura

"Democrats are strongly opposed to the war, Independents tend to oppose the war, and even among Republicans a lot say they don't know," Council Director of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Craig Kafura says, drawing on recent polling.

Craig Kafura and other speakers appear on screen alongside visuals US Foreign Policy

How Congress Can Still Influence Trump's Iran War

Analysis
by Jordan Tama

The congressional split over the war powers resolution signals that US President Donald Trump lacks broad support for the military intervention in Iran—and opposition on Capitol Hill is likely to grow if the war grinds on.

The U.S. Capitol is photographed Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Washington.
Rahmat Gul / AP
US Foreign Policy

Research

Majority of Americans Say Congress' Approval Needed for US Strikes in Iran

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

While few Americans want to see Iran develop a nuclear weapon, just half expressed support for US airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities—and most believe direct military action would spark a broader regional war.

Plumes of smoke from two simultaneous strikes rise over Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Ganji / AP
US Foreign Policy

Americans See Congress as Weak on Foreign Policy Compared to the President

RESEARCH
Public Opinion Survey by Coauthors

Just three in 10 Americans see the division of foreign policy powers between Congress and the president as “about right.”

President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress
Jessica Koscielniak / Pool via AP
Public Opinion

Experts

Joshua Busby 

Senior Nonresident Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
headshot of Joshua Busby

Daniel W. Drezner 

Senior Nonresident Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Council expert Daniel W. Drezner