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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Research
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.
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 Public Opinion Survey
Survey of Chinese Public Opinion on International Affairs
A woman holds a Chinese flag as she poses for a photo near Tiananmen Gate A woman holds a Chinese flag as she poses for a photo near Tiananmen Gate A woman holds a Chinese flag as she poses for a photo near Tiananmen Gate A woman holds a Chinese flag as she poses for a photo near Tiananmen Gate Public Opinion
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
New polling from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and The Carter Center offers a rare window into how Chinese citizens view China's global role and foreign policy.
olish Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds a government meeting following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack olish Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds a government meeting following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack olish Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds a government meeting following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack olish Prime Minister Donald Tusk holds a government meeting following violations of Polish airspace during a Russian attack Defense and Security
Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Poland via AP
Americans Support Using US Troops To Defend Poland
Blog Running Numbers by Dina Smeltz
a man holds an American flag near the National September 11 Memorial and Museum a man holds an American flag near the National September 11 Memorial and Museum a man holds an American flag near the National September 11 Memorial and Museum a man holds an American flag near the National September 11 Memorial and Museum Defense and Security
John Minchillo / AP
Steady Decline in American Concerns About Terrorism
Blog Running Numbers by Lama El Baz
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 the first-ever 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.