Polling America: What the Data Says About U.S. Foreign Policy

Описание: Panelists examine what Americans think about U.S. foreign policy, drawing on recent polling and survey data to explore public attitudes toward the United States’ role in the world. Speakers will analyze results from the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, Gallup's World Affairs survey, and 2025 Reagan National Defense Survey.

00:00 Analyzing Bipartisan Consensus on U.S. Foreign Policy Goals: The panel opens with Gallup data showing surprising alignment between Republicans and Democrats on top priorities like combating international terrorism and nuclear proliferation.

03:55 The Growing Partisan Gap in U.S. Global Perception: Explores the widening divide in how different political parties view America's standing in the world and the current state of satisfaction with U.S. global leadership.

06:39 Shifting Trends in Support for U.S. International Engagement: A look at the Reagan National Defense Survey findings, highlighting a resurgence in support for active U.S. involvement abroad and how presidential leadership influences voter sentiment.

10:54 The Edelman Trust Barometer: Navigating the Age of Grievance: An analysis of global trust trends, discussing the move toward "insularity" and how information consumption habits are shaping public belief versus factual confirmation.

17:11 Comparative Analysis of Public Opinion Polling Methodologies: A "behind the scenes" look at how different organizations frame surveys on foreign affairs and how to interpret nuanced differences in their findings.

26:31 Historical Shifts in Institutional Trust and Military Confidence: The experts discuss long-term data trends, including the decline of trust in government and media, contrasted with the relative resilience of the U.S. military’s image.

32:33 Demographic Breakdown: Generational and Geographic Perspectives: Examining how Gen-Z, rural communities, and urban populations differ (or align) on issues like trade, economic anxiety, and the impact of social media on civic engagement.

52:02 American Public Sentiment on Global Adversaries and Allies: A concluding discussion on the high level of bipartisan consensus regarding U.S. perceptions of Russia, Iran, and China as primary strategic adversaries.

Speakers
Aaron Guiterman
Chair, U.S. Government and Public Affairs, Edelman

Justin Lall
Principal, Gallup

Roger I. Zakheim
Director, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

Presider
Xanthe Scharff
Cofounder, The Fuller Project for International Reporting; CFR Member

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