Public Opinion

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has conducted public opinion surveys for more than 50 years, and the results help shape policy debates and inform decisions on the most consequential foreign policy issues facing the United States. 
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Chicago Council Survey
The Chicago Council Survey, conducted annually, provides the most comprehensive view of American public opinion on US foreign policy issues, highlighting key trends and shifts in thinking since 1974.
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Commentary
Analysis on public opinion, probabilities, and everything data-related from polling and foreign policy experts.
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International Surveys
Conducted with international partner organizations, these surveys explore how publics around the world think about critical global issues.
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Pamela Smith / AP
Public Opinion

Americans, Foreign Policy, and the 2026 Midterms

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Results and analysis of the Council's 2026 annual survey of American views on foreign policy.
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
American Favorability of Israel Drops to Record Low
US and Israel flags stand outside of the White House US and Israel flags stand outside of the White House US and Israel flags stand outside of the White House US and Israel flags stand outside of the White House Public Opinion
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Still, a majority of Americans overall continue to say the United States should not take a side in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
Demonstrators rally outside the White House to protest US military action in Iran Demonstrators rally outside the White House to protest US military action in Iran Demonstrators rally outside the White House to protest US military action in Iran Demonstrators rally outside the White House to protest US military action in Iran Public Opinion
Jose Luis Magana / AP
7 in 10 Americans Say Iran War Not Worth Fighting
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Public Opinion
Evan Vucci / AP
As Fears of China Wane, Americans Favor Greater Engagement with Beijing
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura

Explore Related Commentary

Two men walk past the NATO logo Public Opinion
Hussein Malla / AP
Transatlantic Publics Lose Confidence That Allies Will Help in Event of Attack
COLUMN Running Numbers by Dina Smeltz

But both Americans and Europeans are hopeful that relations will improve in the future.

teens hold their cell phones Public Opinion
Rick Rycroft / AP
Trumpism and TikTok: The Factors Shaping Young Americans' Foreign Policy Views
ANALYSIS

Millennial and Generation Z Americans have come of age during a time of technological change, economic upheaval, and strategic overreach.

Fans arrive for the announcement of the United States men's national soccer team roster Public Opinion
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / AP
What North American Publics Expect from the 2026 World Cup
COLUMN Running Numbers by Craig Kafura

Americans and Mexicans think the tournament will be economically beneficial, while Canadians are concerned about costs.

United States and Chinese flags Public Opinion
Ng Han Guan / AP
As Trump Goes to China, What Do Americans Say About Tariffs, Iran and World Standing?
In the News NPR by Craig Kafura

Americans largely view China as an economic rival seeking global dominance, according to a new Chicago Council-NPR-Ipsos poll.

Meet the Experts
Headshot for Dina Smeltz

Dina Smeltz

Managing Director & Chair, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
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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headshot of Craig Kafura

Craig Kafura

Director, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
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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headshot of Lama El Baz

Lama El Baz

Research Associate, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy, Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Lama El Baz joined the Chicago Council on Global Affairs in 2023 and currently serves as the research associate for public opinion and foreign policy. She is passionate about public opinion research, data analytics, and the regional affairs of the Middle East and North Africa.
More about Lama