Foreign Policy & National Security

The challenge

What's the Challenge?

Americans debate how engaged the U.S. should be globally. Some advocate 'America First' policies focused on domestic priorities, while others argue international engagement protects American interests and values. Challenges include managing relationships with China and Russia, supporting allies in Europe and Asia, addressing terrorism and nuclear proliferation, and determining when and how to use military force. In the Trump second term these debates have sharpened: the administration has used economic pressure on allies (including tariff threats over Greenland), reshaped U.S. policy on Ukraine and the Middle East, and conducted direct military action in Venezuela. With ongoing conflicts and great-power competition, these questions have real consequences.

Where we agree

Where Most Americans Agree

America's military should be strong enough to deter adversaries
Terrorism and nuclear proliferation pose serious threats
Alliances with democracies generally serve American interests
China's growing military and economic power requires serious attention
American troops shouldn't be deployed without clear objectives and exit strategies
Diplomacy should be tried before military action when possible
Cybersecurity and protecting critical infrastructure matter
International trade should benefit American workers and companies
Veterans deserve full support and quality healthcare
Foreign aid should serve American interests and be spent effectively

Source · Pew Research Center Global Attitudes 2025, Chicago Council on Global Affairs Survey 2025

Both sides, fairly

How each side argues it.

Understanding the full debate means reading what each side actually says, not the caricature of it.

Progressive

Progressive Perspective

Threatening allies like Denmark and pressuring NATO weakens America's standing and emboldens authoritarians
Cutting support to Ukraine rewards Russian aggression and erodes the post-war order America helped build
Direct military action like the Venezuela operation sets dangerous precedents and risks escalation
Climate change is a long-term national security threat that current policy ignores
Defense budget is bloated while diplomacy and development are underfunded
Human rights and democracy should guide foreign policy, not just narrow interests

Conservative

Conservative Perspective

Peace through strength—a robust military and willingness to act prevent war more than diplomacy alone
America First means prioritizing our interests over endless foreign commitments and unfair trade arrangements
China is the primary long-term threat and deserves the most focus
NATO allies must pay their fair share instead of relying on American protection
Decisive action—like removing a narcoterrorist regime in Venezuela—shows resolve adversaries respect
International organizations often undermine American sovereignty and should be resisted

The evidence

Evidence-Based Facts

№ 01
U.S. defense spending exceeds $900 billion annually, more than the next 10 countries combined
Source · Department of Defense Budget; SIPRI Military Expenditure Database
№ 02
The U.S. has mutual defense treaties with over 50 countries including NATO members
Source · U.S. State Department
№ 03
China's defense budget has grown over 700% since 2000
Source · Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
№ 04
Foreign aid represents less than 1% of the federal budget
Source · Congressional Research Service
№ 05
Russia, China, and North Korea have significantly expanded nuclear arsenals
Source · Arms Control Association

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Honest questions

Questions for Thoughtful Debate

№ 01
How should the U.S. respond to China's military expansion and human rights abuses?
№ 02
What's America's responsibility to support democracies facing authoritarian aggression?
№ 03
Should defense spending increase, decrease, or be reallocated?
№ 04
When should the U.S. use military force vs. diplomacy and sanctions?
№ 05
How do we balance international commitments with domestic priorities?
№ 06
What role should NATO play 75 years after its founding?
№ 07
How can the U.S. address nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran?