Poll: Strong Bipartisan Support for International Engagement, Defense Spending

WASHINGTON — As defense leaders converge on the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, a comprehensive new poll from the Ronald Reagan Institute reveals substantial bipartisan support for sustained U.S. international military engagement, NATO alliance commitment, and continued weapons support for Ukraine.

The survey of more than 2,500 Americans, conducted ahead of the Trump administration’s anticipated new National Defense Strategy release, demonstrates that American voters increasingly favor an active U.S. role on the global stage. Sixty-four percent of respondents said the United States should be more engaged in international events, marking a 7-point increase from the previous year.

Support for NATO alliance structures remains robust, with 68 percent of respondents expressing favorable views of the alliance—up 6 percent year-over-year. Only 34 percent indicated they would support U.S. withdrawal from the treaty, underscoring the organization’s continued resonance with American voters across the political spectrum.

On Ukraine specifically, the poll reflects sustained commitment despite shifting diplomatic initiatives. Sixty-two percent of respondents said they want Ukraine to win the war, while 64 percent favor sending U.S. weapons to Kyiv—a significant 9-point increase from the prior year. Notably, 70 percent expressed skepticism about Russia honoring any peace agreement terms.

The findings extend across multiple strategic theaters. In the Indo-Pacific, 77 percent support U.S. military defense of Taiwan against Chinese aggression. Regarding Middle Eastern operations, 60 percent backed potential U.S. military targeting of Iranian nuclear facilities, though support for weapons transfers to Israel declined to 50 percent.

Domestically, the administration’s Golden Dome homeland air defense system garnered strong support, with 68 percent of respondents favoring increased spending despite limited public disclosure of program details and costs. On Western Hemisphere military repositioning, 49 percent supported shifting resources from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa toward the region.

Regional security operations also showed majority support. When asked about military operations against suspected drug traffickers in Latin America and the Caribbean—where at least 21 vessel strikes had occurred as of poll date—62 percent approved, compared to 36 percent opposition.

The poll also addressed the Trump administration’s National Guard deployment to U.S. cities for civil disturbance support and crime reduction, with 55 percent expressing approval and 43 percent disapproval.

Overall, the survey captures American preferences for military strength, international leadership, and strategic alliance commitments, findings likely to shape ongoing defense policy discussions throughout the weekend forum.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764828286493-1137