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Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy

Shaping debates and informing decisions on important US foreign policy issues.
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Public Opinion
Chicago Council Survey data tracks trends in American public opinion on US foreign policy since 1975.
Survey Reports
Research
Analysis and policy recommendations on US foreign policy and national security.
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Events
Policymakers and influencers share their experience and insight to keep the public informed.
Events

From the Lester Crown Center

Nancy Pelosi prepares to board her plane before leaving Taiwan on August 3, 2022.
Nancy Pelosi prepares to board her plane before leaving Taiwan on August 3, 2022.
US Foreign Policy
Reuters
Takeaways from Pelosi's Trip to Taiwan
Blog Running Numbers by Craig Kafura
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit aroused Beijing’s ire—but more important may be the long-term trends in Taiwanese attitudes. 
Speaker Pelosi and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meet in Taipei, Taiwan on August 3, 2022.
Speaker Pelosi and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meet in Taipei, Taiwan on August 3, 2022. Speaker Pelosi and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meet in Taipei, Taiwan on August 3, 2022.
Speaker Pelosi and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen meet in Taipei, Taiwan on August 3, 2022.
US Foreign Policy
REUTERS
Should the US Embrace or Reject Engagement with China?
Podcast Deep Dish Podcast
Taiwan ship and flag
Taiwan ship and flag Taiwan ship and flag
Taiwan ship and flag
Public Opinion
REUTERS
For First Time, Half of Americans Favor Defending Taiwan If China Invades
RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
Middle Class Homes
iStock
Public Opinion

2021 Chicago Council Survey

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey
While the Biden administration seems to understand where Americans stand on China and domestic renewal to support global competitiveness, the data disproves their assumptions that Americans are skeptical about trade and weary of US global engagement and leadership.

Commentary and Analysis

VP of Studies Brian Hanson recording an episode of Deep Dish
Deep Dish Podcast

Council Vice President of Studies Brian T. Hanson sits down with guests to go beyond the headlines on critical global issues in this weekly podcast series.

A screenshot of a recording of World Review on May 22, 2020.
World Review

Former NATO Ambassador and Council President Ivo Daalder talks with leading media commentators about emerging global news during this live streaming show every Friday at 10 a.m. CT.

A list of numbers in a collection of data on a computer screen
Running Numbers Blog

A public opinion, probabilities, and everything data-related blog featuring commentary and analysis from polling and foreign policy experts.

Donald Trump answering questions at a press briefing at the White House
Reuters
In the News

Commentary and analysis from Lester Crown Center experts featured in digital, print, and TV news.

Meet the Experts
All Lester Crown Center experts
Headshot for Dina Smeltz

Dina Smeltz

Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
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.
More about Dina
Council staff Elizabeth Shackelford

Elizabeth Shackelford

Senior Fellow, US Foreign Policy
Elizabeth Shackelford, a former career US diplomat who served at the US Mission to Somalia and the US Embassy in South Sudan, joined the Council in 2021. Her work focuses on building awareness and understanding of a "restraint" approach to foreign policy, which seeks to limit the use of military force to the defense of core US national security interests and favors robust diplomatic engagement.
More about Elizabeth
Council expert Karl Friedhoff

Karl Friedhoff

Marshall M. Bouton Fellow for Asia Studies
Karl Friedhoff was a Korea Foundation-Mansfield Foundation US-Korea Nexus Scholar and a member of the Mansfield Foundation’s Trilateral Working Group prior to joining the Council. Previously, he was a program officer in the Public Opinion Studies Program at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies based in Seoul, South Korea.
More about Karl
All Lester Crown Center experts

Center at a Glance

Shadows of people standing in front of an American flag
Reuters
Public Opinion Surveys on US Foreign Policy

First conducted in 1974, the now annual Chicago Council Survey highlights critical trends and shifts in American views on US foreign policy over time.

Four US soldiers stand in front of a setting sun
Reuters
Task Forces on National Security

Thought leaders convened for task forces analyze and make recommendations on a range of timely national security and foreign policy issues.

General Jim Mattis speaking at the Council
Lester Crown Lecture on US Foreign Policy

Each year, audiences hear from and question a national security leader, fostering dialogue and building deeper understanding of critical issues.

VP of Studies Brian Hanson recording our podcast, Deep Dish
Commentary and Analysis

Fellows and other experts offer the context needed to understand current national security or foreign policy events and trends through op-eds, blogs, podcasts, and videos.

Newsletter sign-up

Sign up to receive a monthly email with all the latest survey findings, research, analysis, and commentary from Crown Center experts and featured speakers.
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Crown Center Events

Fiona Hill is seen speaking into a mic at a hearing
Reuters
Fiona Hill on Russia, Ukraine, and the Outcome of the War
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Former National Security Council official Fiona Hill discusses the future of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Senator Joni Ernst giving speech in front of flag backdrop
Reuters
Senator Joni Ernst on Emerging Threats to National Defense
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Joni Ernst, senator from Iowa and retired lieutenant colonel, discussed the top challenges to US defense and security today.

Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch giving an interview and talking into a microphone
U.S. Embassy Kyiv Ukraine
Lessons from the Edge: A Conversation with Marie Yovanovitch
PAST EVENT

The Council is a Chicago Humanities Festival program partner for this event featuring former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch in conversation with Council President Ivo Daalder, former US Ambassador to NATO.

Reuters
America, China, and the Avoidable War
PAST EVENT VIDEO

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd discussed the foreign policy objectives of the United States and China and how these superpowers can prevent competition from sparking a conflict.