Peace Through Strength
Reagan National Defense Survey
Overview
The Reagan National Defense Survey is a public opinion poll that assists elected officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders with understanding how Americans view a wide array of defense, foreign policy, and national security matters.
Explore The Surveys
2024 Reagan National Defense Survey
We released the seventh annual Reagan National Defense Survey, showing Americans believe the United States must lead on the world stage, backed by a strong U.S. military.
2023 Reagan National Defense Survey
This year's survey reveals concerns that congressional budget cuts will lead to reduced military capabilities and support for increasing military spending on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence.
2022 Reagan National Defense Survey
In the face of geopolitical events that shook the foundations of global peace and security in 2022, Americans see U.S. leadership as the key to restoring the peace.
2021 Reagan National Defense Survey
Despite uncertainty among the American people about whether or how the United States should lead in the world, there is a significant bipartisan consensus that China is the greatest threat we face.
2020 Reagan National Defense Survey
The latest Reagan National Defense Survey reflects a downturn in overall attitudes across nearly every category of question. One of the more alarming downward trends is declining trust and confidence in the military.
2019 Reagan National Defense Survey
Americans remain steadfast in their support for a strong military that both keeps the peace and advances the values of freedom and democracy abroad. Americans are not isolationists. They want America to be more engaged in the world, not less.
2018 Reagan National Defense Survey
Americans remain steadfast in their support for a strong military that both keeps the peace and advances the values of freedom and democracy abroad. Americans are not isolationists.
About The Survey
The Reagan National Defense Survey, conducted by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, is a critical initiative that examines the attitudes of the American public toward U.S. defense and national security issues. Launched in 2018, the survey reflects the Foundation’s commitment to upholding President Reagan’s legacy of “peace through strength” by fostering informed dialogue about America’s role on the global stage. By gauging public opinion on topics such as military readiness, defense spending, threats to national security, and trust in U.S. institutions, the survey serves as an essential barometer for understanding how Americans perceive and prioritize the challenges facing the nation.
The survey’s findings play a vital role in shaping policy discussions and public awareness, offering insights that inform leaders, policymakers, and the broader public. As geopolitical landscapes shift and emerging threats demand adaptive strategies, the Reagan National Defense Survey provides a consistent and reliable platform for measuring the pulse of the nation. By identifying trends and concerns over time, it underscores the importance of maintaining robust national defense capabilities while fostering bipartisan commitment to protecting American values, allies, and interests worldwide.