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.
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From the Lester Crown Center

Running Numbers by Phillip Meng
Peruvians Distrust Democracy as Political Crises Deepen
People hold signs while protesting against Peru's President Pedro Castillo after Congress approved his removal from office People hold signs while protesting against Peru's President Pedro Castillo after Congress approved his removal from office Public Opinion
Reuters
The fallout from the removal of President Pedro Castillo has revealed a young democracy in dire straits.
Men hold Russian flags as they gather to show their support to the Junta leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador in Burkina Fas Men hold Russian flags as they gather to show their support to the Junta leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador in Burkina Fas Men hold Russian flags as they gather to show their support to the Junta leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador in Burkina Fas Men hold Russian flags as they gather to show their support to the Junta leader Ibrahim Traore and demand the departure of the French ambassador in Burkina Fas US Foreign Policy
Reuters
Why the Wagner Group's Influence in West Africa Is Growing
In the News Chicago Tribune Elizabeth Shackelford
People skate at the opening of an ice rink at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy in Moscow People skate at the opening of an ice rink at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy in Moscow People skate at the opening of an ice rink at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy in Moscow People skate at the opening of an ice rink at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy in Moscow Public Opinion
Reuters
Few Russians Are Anxious about Western Sanctions
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
American and Ukrainian flags fly side by side
Reuters
Public Opinion

2022 Survey of Public Opinion on US Foreign Policy

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
On some of the most significant issues of the day, including how the United States should respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Americans across party lines are in agreement, albeit often for different reasons.

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Commentary and Analysis

VP of Studies Brian Hanson recording an episode of Deep Dish
Deep Dish Podcast

Council Vice President of Studies Brian T. Hanson sits down with guests to go beyond the headlines on critical global issues in this weekly podcast series.

A screenshot of a recording of World Review on May 22, 2020.
World Review

Former NATO Ambassador and Council President Ivo Daalder talks with leading media commentators about emerging global news during this live streaming show every Friday at 10 a.m. CT.

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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.

Donald Trump answering questions at a press briefing at the White House
Reuters
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
Headshot for Dina Smeltz

Dina Smeltz

Senior Fellow, 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
Council staff Elizabeth Shackelford

Elizabeth Shackelford

Senior Fellow, US Foreign Policy
Elizabeth Shackelford, a former career US diplomat who served at the US Mission to Somalia and the US Embassy in South Sudan, joined the Council in 2021. Her work focuses on building awareness and understanding of a "restraint" approach to foreign policy, which seeks to limit the use of military force to the defense of core US national security interests and favors robust diplomatic engagement.
More about Elizabeth
Council expert Karl Friedhoff

Karl Friedhoff

Marshall M. Bouton Fellow for Asia Studies
Karl Friedhoff was a Korea Foundation-Mansfield Foundation US-Korea Nexus Scholar and a member of the Mansfield Foundation’s Trilateral Working Group prior to joining the Council. Previously, he was a program officer in the Public Opinion Studies Program at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies based in Seoul, South Korea.
More about Karl
All Lester Crown Center experts

Center at a Glance

Shadows of people standing in front of an American flag
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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Reuters
Task Forces on National Security

Thought leaders convened for task forces analyze and make recommendations on a range of timely national security and foreign policy issues.

General Jim Mattis speaking at the Council
Lester Crown Lecture on US Foreign Policy

Each year, audiences hear from and question a national security leader, fostering dialogue and building deeper understanding of critical issues.

VP of Studies Brian Hanson recording our podcast, Deep Dish
Commentary and Analysis

Fellows and other experts offer the context needed to understand current national security or foreign policy events and trends through op-eds, blogs, podcasts, and videos.

Crown Center Events

A headshot of Richard Haass
May
2
Council on Foreign Relations
Richard Haass on Renewing American Citizenship
Hybrid EVENT

Join Richard Haass for a discussion on renewing American citizenship to invigorate democratic institutions.

Register
Ambassador Burns on screen in conversation with Fay Hartog Levin
US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on China-US Relations
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Members of the Council community join Ambassador Burns for insights into the current state of the China-US relationship.

Former Vice President Mike Pence on the Council's stage with Council President Ivo H. Daalder
Vice President Mike Pence on America's Role in the World
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Join Vice President Mike Pence for a discussion on his career, foreign policy, and his new book, " So Help Me God."

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield on a recent visit to Africa.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Tackling the Global Food Security Crisis
PAST EVENT VIDEO

UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield argues that implementing a foreign policy for all Americans means tackling the global food security crisis head on.