Search The Council

The inaugural Chicago Council Survey was conducted in December 1974 to seek and understand the views of the public and national leaders on a series of international questions.

The 1979 Chicago Council Survey found that the American people and leaders were interested in maintaining international involvement but were also concerned about hedging and restraining foreign commitments.

The 1982 Chicago Council Survey shows important disparities between public opinion and Reagan administration policies in defense spending, arms control, foreign aid, détente, and trade policy.

The 1986 Chicago Council survey showed the desire to protect American jobs or to secure access to energy still takes priority over altruistic objectives.

The 1990 Chicago Council Survey was performed during an age of global economic competition.

The 1994 Chicago Council survey indicates that American attitudes at both public and leadership levels reflect a "pragmatic internationalism."

The 1998 Chicago Council Survey results reflect a "guarded engagement" by a largely satisfied superpower.

The 2002 Chicago Council survey made it clear that 9/11 had a profound impact on the American mood and U.S. relationships with foreign countries.

The 2006 Chicago Council survey focused on U.S. and international public opinion on the rise of China and India and its implications on foreign policy.

The 2007 Chicago Council Survey broke new ground in international public opinion research to discover commonalities in public opinion around the world.

The 2008 Chicago Council Survey focuses on attitudes about foreign policy prior to the triggering of the international financial crisis in the fall of 2008.

The 2010 Chicago Council Survey shows that Americans remain committed to an active part in world affairs—its problems, opportunities, and key actors.

The 2012 Chicago Council Survey tracks public opinion on US foreign policy since the September 11 attacks, and includes an assessment of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Across party lines, the results of this Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey reveal that the US public and leaders largely agree on US foreign policy.

The Council’s 2018 survey indicates that Americans support US engagement in world affairs, the largest majority since 1974—aside from after Sept. 11, 2001.

In 2018, the Council captured public and opinion leader attitudes on some of the most pressing foreign policy issues.

The Council’s 2019 Survey establishes that retreating, relinquishing leadership, and abandoning alliances is not what the American public has in mind.

Russia's use of a nuclear weapon in Ukraine would be catastrophic, but not solely because of the physical damage the it would cause, Paul Poast writes.

In spite of Trump, Shinzo Abe was still able to strengthen US-Japan relations during his time as Prime Minister.

It has now been a year since many nations began to implement restrictions due to the pandemic. As the global health crisis drags into its second year, more people seek the vaccine as a way to return to normal.

Chicago Council survey data find majorities in South Korea view China as more of a security threat than a security partner and as more of an economic threat than an economic partner.

Craig Kafura and Karl Friedhoff analyze findings of a recent poll examining American public opinion on US relations with Japan.

Can an administration that up to this point has been belligerent towards traditional US democratic allies and has rejected many forms of multilateralism be able to turn the page and shift from "America First" to "American Led"?

Tackling the global crisis on housing affordability requires a comprehensive set of policies aimed at providing affordable rental units.

This Chicago Council on Global Affairs blog post explains the “China gap” in American public opinion despite consensus among foreign policy experts.

Since 2016, Americans' favorability toward South Korea, India, and Japan is stable, while favorability toward China decreased by 12 points.

This report says that Americans remain supportive of the US military presence in Japan.

A March 2021 survey finds Americans see US priorities in Asia to be less about limiting the expansion of China and more about economic growth and strengthening democracy.

Six in 10 continue to support providing economic aid and sending additional arms and military supplies to the Ukrainian government, down slightly from a year ago.

American public opinion toward Japan has never been warmer, Council data show.

The 2012 Chicago Council Survey on American public opinion and US foreign policy provides important context for thinking about the future of the US-Japan alliance. 

With Xi Jinping poised to receive a third term at the 20th Party Congress, American opinion of China has never been worse.

The US public views the Japan alliance as a significant national security benefit as concerns about China grow.

This Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey indicates Americans view Japan as a close and trusted ally.

With the US election a week away, here are three key things you need to know about the American public's views on Asia in 2020.

The American public is increasingly skeptical of the US-China trade relationship, and narrow majorities support increased restrictions on both trade and technological exchanges.

The public supports US participation in the Paris climate agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, and more.

As the war in Ukraine continues, majorities say the United States should maintain or increase its commitment to NATO.

The US public supports meeting with the leaders of Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, and more.

A plurality of Americans—and a majority of Republicans—also say that US leaders are not paying enough attention to US-China competition.

With all eyes on Ukraine, it is unclear if a seventh North Korean nuclear test will really register with the American public.

For the first time, a majority of Republicans think the United States should stay out of world affairs.

The 2019 Chicago Council Survey finds that support for South Korea as an ally remains high and bipartisan

More Americans consider issues like weakening democracy and political polarization to be critical threats to the United States than foreign adversaries.

The Biden administration emphasizes strengthening ties with America's global allies and partners. Which countries do Americans view as their allies—and adversaries?

Survey results show President Trump’s threats and bullying tactics with Seoul haven't lessened support for the alliance with South Korea.

This survey shows Americans still think that the US should work on friendly engagement and strengthening ties with China.

2021 Chicago Council Survey data show that a majority of Americans hold favorable views of South Korea and would support defending the country from a North Korean attack.

Over the weekend, North Korea launched a new cruise missile. It's unlikely to shift American public opinion.

The public generally does not see current US trade policies toward China as benefiting Americans.