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Lester Crown Center on US Foreign Policy

Shaping debates and informing decisions on important US foreign policy issues.

More about the Center

Surveys

Chicago Council Survey data tracks trends in American public opinion on US foreign policy since 1975.

Surveys

Research

Analysis and policy recommendations on US foreign policy and national security.

Research

Events

Policymakers and influencers share their experience and insight to keep the public informed.

Events

From the Lester Crown Center

Americans Condemn Capitol Riots; Reject Violence in Politics

Blog Running Numbers by Craig Kafura

Large majorities of Americans now disapprove of the attack on the US Capitol, but Democrats and Republicans disagree about what the rioters were aiming to do and what to do next.

soldiers from the US army complete drills

Republicans, Democrats Split on Increasing US Defense Budget

RESEARCH Public Opinion Survey by Craig Kafura

What the Geopolitics of the EU-China Deal Mean for Biden

Podcast Deep Dish Podcast

Center at a Glance

Shadows of people standing in front of an American flag

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.

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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.

Explore Findings of the 2020 Chicago Council Survey

Democrats and Republicans are divided in their views on top threats to United States and how the country should address global challenges and engage internationally. 

Meet the Experts

All Lester Crown Center experts

Dina Smeltz

Senior Fellow, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy

Dina Smeltz, a polling expert, has more than 25 years 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 2001.

More about Dina

Elizabeth Shackelford

Senior Fellow, US Foreign Policy

Elizabeth Shackelford, former career US diplomat, joined the Council in January 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

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

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.

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.

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Running Numbers Blog

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

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In the News

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

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.

Crown Center Events

President-elect Joe Biden holds a conference video call alongside Vice President-elect Kamala Harris focused on foreign policy

Ivo Daalder on the State of the Council and Biden's Foreign Policy

Virtual

Council leadership members have exclusive access to an off-the-record update from the former NATO ambassador and Chicago Council president on the Biden administration.

President Joe Biden takes the oath of office

World Review: President Biden Takes Office

Virtual World Review

Journalists Susan Glasser, Nirmal Ghosh, and Philip Stephens join Council President Ivo H. Daalder to discuss the Biden administration's first decisions.