State of the World from NPR World, Reordering: NPR/Ipsos Poll Reveals Trends in Americans' View of Foreign Policy
Jan 9, 2026
Frank Langfitt, NPR's roving national correspondent, dives into the latest NPR/Ipsos poll outlining Americans' complex views on U.S. foreign policy. He reveals that while many desire the U.S. to be a moral leader, confidence in its current role has plummeted from 60% to 39%. Langfitt shares insights on the public's divide regarding intervention in Venezuela, highlighting contrasting opinions, especially among Trump supporters who see bold actions as necessary, reflecting a tension between global leadership and national priorities.
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Decline In Perceived Moral Leadership
- U.S. public opinion has shifted: fewer Americans now see the U.S. as the world's moral leader than in 2017.
- The share believing the U.S. is a moral leader dropped from 60% to 39%.
Partisan Split In Foreign Policy Goals
- Voters' priorities diverge: Republicans prioritize policies that directly benefit America.
- Democrats emphasize promoting democracy and human rights abroad.
Independent Voter Reflects On Moral Decline
- Suzanne Watson, a retired nurse and political independent, says U.S. moral standing slipped after Trump's election.
- She called past U.S. actions bullying but felt the country at least tried before losing that effort.