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.
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Analysis and policy recommendations on US foreign policy and national security.
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Policymakers and influencers share their experience and insight to keep the public informed.
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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 Public Opinion Survey
Americans Oppose Using Military Force to Take Greenland
Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of Greenland Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of Greenland Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of Greenland Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of Greenland Public Opinion
Majorities also oppose using US troops to overthrow governments in Cuba or Colombia, occupy Venezuela, and gain access to the natural resources of other countries.
A flag bearer holds the American flag as American forces march down a road A flag bearer holds the American flag as American forces march down a road A flag bearer holds the American flag as American forces march down a road A flag bearer holds the American flag as American forces march down a road Defense and Security
Jane Hahn / AP
Americans Prioritize Using US Troops Defensively
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
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
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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

Managing Director & Chair, 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.
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Crown Center Events

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

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.

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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.