US President Donald Trump has called for regime change, the destruction of Iranian military capability, and the degradation of proxy groups. But an operation with multiple goals carries greater risk.

From Venezuela to the Middle East, the Trump administration has not hesitated to use force. But even the world’s most powerful military has its limits.

Recent polls show Democrats and Independents oppose US policy toward the conflict, while Republicans back the Trump administration's approach.

January 15, 2026, RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Dina Smeltz , Lama El Baz , and Craig Kafura, Download Report (PDF), Majorities also oppose using US troops to overthrow governments in Cuba or Colombia, occupy Venezuela, and gain access to the natural resources of other countries., Following t...

April 14, 2025, RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Lama El Baz and Denis Volkov, Leo Correa / AP, Download Report (PDF), After a decade of involvement in Syria, some Russians are eager to withdraw their forces from the country., The formation of a new transitional government after the ouster of f...

December 10, 2025, RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura , Debi Jin , Christina Chen , and Kuan-chen Lee, Chiang Ying-ying / AP, Download Report (PDF), Americans and Taiwanese see US power as superior to Beijing’s, and China’s rise as a major threat to both countries. Yet Americans r...

Content covering Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Although the American public doesn't believe the war with Afghanistan was worth the cost, they also think the US should maintain bases in the country.

October 20, 2025, RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Dina Smeltz and Lama El Baz, Lindsey Wasson / AP, Download Report (PDF), At the same time, fewer Americans now compared to a decade ago are convinced their country is exceptional., While some observers describe US President Donald Trump’s fore...