US Midterms

The Council brings research, analysis, and diverse perspectives to the issues driving voters and policy conversations, and considers what the 2026 US midterm elections could mean for US foreign policy and global affairs.
Silhouettes against a backdrop of the American flag
Pamela Smith / AP
Public Opinion

Americans, Foreign Policy, and the 2026 Midterms

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Results and analysis of the Council's 2026 annual survey of American views on foreign policy.

Events

Hybrid EVENT
The State of American Opinion: The 2026 Chicago Council Survey
Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI on August 11, 2026. Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI on August 11, 2026.
Oct
1
Nam Y. Huh / AP
John Lapinski, Dina Smeltz, and Asma Khalid unpack what the results of the 2026 Chicago Council survey tell us about Americans’ foreign policy priorities heading into the midterms.
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A general view of the US Capitol on June 23, 2023. A general view of the US Capitol on June 23, 2023. A general view of the US Capitol on June 23, 2023. A general view of the US Capitol on June 23, 2023.
Oct
22
Mariam Zuhaib / AP
America's Place in the World: Global Volatility and Authoritarianism
Hybrid EVENT
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The top of the US capitol photographed from in between two tree branches on September 2, 2026. The top of the US capitol photographed from in between two tree branches on September 2, 2026. The top of the US capitol photographed from in between two tree branches on September 2, 2026. The top of the US capitol photographed from in between two tree branches on September 2, 2026.
Nov
5
Mariam Zuhaib / AP
A House Divided? American Foreign Policy After the Midterms
Hybrid EVENT
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Commentary & Analysis

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Newark Liberty International Airport, New York seen in the background, Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, in Newark, N.J. US Foreign Policy
Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
A Moment of Great Disruption
ANALYSIS by Leslie Vinjamuri

Answers to the questions on what comes next, from the Iran war to the midterm elections.

A woman waves an Iranian flag during a pro-government gathering at a square in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. US Foreign Policy
Vahid Salemi / AP
The Next Defining Moment of the Iran War
ANALYSIS by Ariane Tabatabai

As the midterm elections approach, the Trump administration has realized its strategy isn’t working. Will economic measures succeed where military operations failed?

Protesters hold signs spelling out, "No War," outside the White House, Thursday June 20, 2019, in Washington, after President Donald Trump tweeted that "Iran made a very big mistake" by shooting down a U.S. surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz in Iran. Public Opinion
Jacquelyn Martin / AP
Will Public Opinion Pressure Lawmakers to Vote on Iran?
ANALYSIS by Dina Smeltz

A 60-day period allowing Trump to wage war without congressional approval expires May 1. How legislators respond could influence the midterms.