Craig Kafura, Sarah Maxey, and Gerard Baker discuss findings from the Chicago Council’s 2025 annual survey, highlighting where Americans are divided—and where consensus still exists—on the US role in the world.
Suzanne Nossel and Francisco Rodríguez assess the implications of the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as this emerging development unfolds in real time.
An expert roundtable convened in partnership with Bridging the Gap explores what public opinion data can indicate about the future of US foreign policy.
The US capture of Venezuela’s Maduro echoed intents outlined by Trump in the 2025 National Security Strategy. While the action might have appealed to his Republican base, the strategy’s principles are mostly out of step with US public opinion on America’s engagement in the world.
Americans and Taiwanese see US power as superior to Beijing’s, and China’s rise as a major threat to both countries. Yet Americans remain more cautious about direct military involvement, even as both sides prefer maintaining the cross-strait status quo.
Commentary
In Venezuela, Trump Puts His National Security Strategy in Action. What Do Americans Think?
The US capture of Venezuela’s Maduro echoed intents outlined by Trump in the 2025 National Security Strategy. While the action might have appealed to his Republican base, the strategy’s principles are mostly out of step with US public opinion on America’s engagement in the world.
Why the US Action in Venezuela Is Drawing Global Scrutiny
Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Paul Poast unpacks the ongoing international legal debate over the US intervention in Venezuela.