Search The Council

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

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

Both foreign policy leaders and the American public back “friendshoring."

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit aroused Beijing’s ire—but more important may be the long-term trends in Taiwanese attitudes. 

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

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

Reflect on the year with highlights from the Council's public opinion research and analysis.

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

Over the past 12 months, our pollsters tracked public attitudes on everything from the war in Ukraine to conflict in the Middle East.

Today, most Americans don’t want a world with nuclear weapons. According to the 2020 Chicago Council Survey two-thirds of Americans (66%) believe that no country should be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

In this Chicago Council on Global Affairs blog Craig Kafura explains Japans Coronavirus Measures.

The hope in Seoul and Tokyo is that even if Donald Trump is reelected, their partnership with Washington will be strong and resilient enough to survive.

It's been a busy 2021. Recap the year with the survey team's analyses of public opinion on the most critical issues at home and around the world.

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

The new paradigm of "mobility as a service" promises to change how people move, with local and global ramifications.

While President Trump has promised a vaccine before November, many are skeptical that a vaccine can safely be developed in such a short span of time.

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

This Chicago Council on Global Affairs blog post explores tensions between these two key US allies in Asia – Japan and South Korea.

From Medellín to Chicago, digital nomads are on the rise, contributing significantly to the global economy. But locals worry these visitors are pricing them out.

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.

If the United States and China are competing over global public opinion, who’s winning, and where?

The backlash to the South Korean leader's comments to the Washington Post served as an important test of his underlying support, Karl Friedhoff writes.

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.

In a shift from just a month ago, the Japanese public favors tough sanctions on Russia in concert with the US and Europe. 

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.

Chicago Council Survey data reveals growing concern across party lines about China's economic and military power.

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 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.

Does a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics have public support among countries doing so? Data show modest support—and skepticism.

For decades, the United States has been the driving force pushing for new rules to govern world trade. What if the other major countries of the world assumed that mantle in our absence? It’s happening.

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 majority of countries polled in a recent 53-nation study hold negative views of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

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.

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

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

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.

As the coronavirus pandemic begins to quickly spread across the globe, Council experts assess public opinion around the virus and its impact.

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

But a majority of Americans support efforts to mitigate its effects.

But public opinion has likely shifted following Hamas' attacks on Israel.

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.