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United in threats, divided by answers: Global Radar data from the US

12.11.2026 Margarete Lengger

Where do Americans agree - and where are they worlds apart - on Russia, China, Ukraine and the UN? The first Global Radar Spotlight analyses data from the US to reveal what unites and divides Republican and Democratic voters.

What Americans really think about wars, world power, and multilateralism

In this first Spotlight publication from the Global Radar - the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's flagship foreign policy survey of 32 countries - we examine whether President Trump's realignment of US foreign and security policy reflects the views of ordinary Americans. Comparing Democratic and Republican voters, we identify striking convergences on Russia, China and America's role as a global security provider, alongside deep partisan divides over the US leadership role, international law, the UN, and the question of social versus military spending. The findings offer European policy makers a realistic picture of the American public mood - and of whether the Democratic landslide in the midterm elections might alter transatlantic relations.

Key Takeaways

1. Americans still see their country as the world's security provider.

Over 80% of US respondents endorse America's leading role in international security, and majorities of both Republican and Democratic voters want the US to help Ukraine win its war with Russia. The administration's posture as a broker between the warring parties is out of step with its own electorate: only 41% of Republican supporters think that the US should remain neutral regarding the war.

2. Democratic voters see Europe as a peer.

They view the EU favourably, believe it can defend itself without American help, and see it emerging as a power able to deal with the US and China on equal terms. Republican voters disagree. Even after the historic win of Democrats in the mid-term elections, it will be the task of European politicians in the upcoming months to define their own interests vis-à-vis the US.

3. Deal-making may outlast the deal-maker.

Both camps accept that a multipolar, conflict-prone era has begun, and no election will restore the old transatlantic status quo. Yet Trump's transactional approach to international relations is not the mood of the moment: a majority of both Democratic and Republican voters still favour international cooperation.