Polling News

U.S. Role In The World

May 31, 2018

According to the Pew Research Center, Americans today are split on how they view the U.S.’ efforts to solve world problems, compared with their sentiments over a decade ago.  In 2002, at the start of the Iraq War, 47% of Americans said the U.S. does “too much,” 31% said the U.S. does the “right amount,” and 17% said the U.S. does “too little” in terms of solving the world’s problems.  In 2014, those numbers were 51%, 28%, and 17%, respectively.  Today, only 30% of Americans believe the U.S. does “too much” in solving world problems (down 17 points from 2002), 29% say the U.S. does the “right amount,” and 33% say the U.S. does “too little” (up 16 points from 2002).

Support for the U.S.’ role in global problems is similar to opinions about direct talks with North Korea.  More Americans approve of direct talks with North Korea today (71%) than the number who approved of talks with Iran in 2015 (49%). 

Given these numbers, it is likely Americans support President Donald J. Trump’s actions on North Korea.  That includes his decision to pull out of the North Korea summit last week, considering they are skeptical as well.  Forty-nine percent do not believe North Korea’s leadership is serious about addressing concerns with their nuclear program, including 50% of Republicans and 49% of Democrats.  A cautious approach to these talks will not only be smart from a foreign policy standpoint, but a political one as well.
 

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
October 09, 2025 |
Polling News
At this point in the 2018 Midterm Election cycle, there were plenty of signs that Republicans were marching into a debacle. The 2026 Midterm Elections do not have those same warning signs, as pointed out by NBC News’ Steve Kornacki, and Republicans likely...
Placeholder polling news
September 25, 2025 |
Polling News
A new Reuters/Ispos poll found President Donald Trump’s approval rating declined again this month and is now 41%. More interestingly, however, was the responses on which party has the better for specific issues. ...
Placeholder polling news
September 18, 2025 |
Polling News
Republicans must grapple with some messaging nuances around entitlement reform and the economy before the Midterms, but NBC News highlighted some good news for the GOP. ...
Placeholder polling news
September 11, 2025 |
Polling News
The latest CBS News/YouGov poll found that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are still in bumpy political terrain. Only his hard core base supports them. ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance