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What Kind of Foreign Policy Do Americans Want?

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Dina Smeltz and Gregory Holyk
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney at a 2012 presidential debate.
Scout Tufankjian

The Council examines public opinion on key foreign policy topics that will be covered in the third and final 2012 Presidential debate.

Key Findings 

Foreign policy will take center stage in the third and final presidential debate on October 22, 2012, at Florida’s Lynn University. While the candidates will undoubtedly highlight differences between them, the 2012 Chicago Council Survey finds that partisan differences among the public are usually ones of degree, not outright disagreement. 

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has prepared a background brief on key foreign policy topics that, according to moderator Bob Schieffer, will be covered during Monday’s debate. The brief provides insights into current public thinking on the following issues: 

  • America’s Role in the World 
  • Afghanistan and Pakistan 
  • Red Lines: Israel and Iran 
  • The Changing Middle East and the New Face of Terrorism 
  • The Rise of China and Tomorrow’s World 
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Crown Center Content This content is produced by the Lester Crown Center, which aims to shape debates and inform decisions on important US foreign policy and national security issues.
About the Authors
Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Dina Smeltz, a polling expert, has more than 25 years of experience designing and fielding international social and political surveys. Prior to joining the Council to lead its annual survey of American attitudes on US foreign policy, she served in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the US State Department's Office of Research from 1992 to 2008.
Headshot for Dina Smeltz
Gregory Holyk
Research Analyst
Gregory Holyk is a research analyst at Langer Research Associates.