Our expert research provides trusted, balanced insight and analysis on US foreign policy and America’s global engagement and advances policy solutions on critical global issues.
Findings show a majority of Americans reject ideas of the United States retreating from the world, abdicating international leadership, and abandoning alliances and global institutions.
While the American public is hesitant to get involved in a conflict between China and Japan, Americans across party lines want to build strong relations with US allies in Asia.
In regard to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, Republicans (59%) say the US should take Israel’s side, while majorities of Democrats (75%) and Independents (68%) say the US should not take either side.
The Trump administration’s active efforts to portray China as a bad international actor will further heighten tensions between the two countries, but as of yet, the American public does not yet see China as an urgent threat to national security.
The 2018 Chicago Council Survey indicates that Americans now supported active US engagement in world affairs, the largest majority since 1974—except for just after the September 11 attacks.