Search The Council

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Half favor using US forces to defend South Korea if invaded by North Korea, down from 55 percent in 2022. 

For the first time since the question was first asked in the 1994 Chicago Council Survey, more Americans say that Asia is more important to the US than Europe.

Recent survey data shows the US public's overall feeling is that the US should cooperate with China rather than actively work to limit its advances.

This survey, from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, reveals that Americans have grown less concerned about large numbers of immigrants coming to the U.S.

This report indicates that the American public does not yet see China as an urgent threat to national security.

Chicago Council and Asan Institute surveys conducted in 2019 find that both South Koreans and Americans see a strengthened US-ROK alliance as an asset in dealing with China, suggesting that Washington and Seoul can afford to strengthen coordination

Opinion surveys conducted in both the United States and Russia reflect similar disappointment and continued mistrust among the general publics.

Dina Smeltz and Craig Kafura analyze survey data showing that for the first time in nearly two decades, a majority of Americans describe the development of China as a world power as a critical threat to the United States.

Americans want to play an active part in world affairs but are reassessing their foreign policy priorities and how they want to engage with the world.

2021 Chicago Council Survey data show a majority of Americans support a range of US policies towards Taiwan: recognition as an independent country, inclusion in international organizations, and a US-Taiwan free trade agreement.

Unlike their elders, young Americans don’t buy into US exceptionalism and are divided on whether the United States should play an active role or stay out of world affairs.

But Republicans and Democrats are sharply divided when it comes to immigration levels.

Republicans with very favorable views of Trump are more likely than other GOP backers to support deportations for undocumented immigrants.

A new poll shows Iranians recognize the economic and security benefits of a closer relationship with China.

Dina Smeltz discusses survey data reflecting Japanese opinion on US-China relations.

This report finds that US Latinos prioritize protecting jobs, favor strong leadership abroad, rank terrorism as a critical threat, and support US military superiority.

But partisan divisions over using US troops to defend allies in Europe and Asia are growing.

A survey shows more Americans now oppose expanding the US-Mexico border wall since last asked in 2016.

Republicans with a somewhat favorable or unfavorable view of the former president are more likely to say US assistance to Kyiv has been worth the cost.

Republicans with a very favorable view of the former president seem to prefer a US role that is more independent and less cooperative.

President Biden declared that "the pandemic is over." Council polling shows that when it comes to security and foreign policy, most Americans agree.

While the US public believes trade is good for the economy, it does favors some restrictions—especially on goods such as semiconductors.

Poll finds a majority of Americans value the US security partnership with Israel but say the status quo between Israel and Palestinians is unacceptable.

This Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey indicates the US and Japan have mutually positive views of each other’s leadership efforts.

Survey data show the American public believes relations with each of the countries are important. However, there is a variance in the opinion that shows larger issues affecting the trilateral relationship.

A February 2019 poll found most Americans describe the United States and China as rivals (63%) rather than partners (32%).