Poll/ More Americans think foreign policy should be a US priority

2024-01-01 21:13:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

In these times of conflict abroad, more Americans think foreign policy should be a major focus of the US government in 2024, according to a new poll showing that international affairs and immigration are becoming more important to the public.

About 4 in 10 American adults cited foreign policy issues when asked to comment on up to five issues the government should work on in the coming year, according to a December poll by the Associated Press news agency and the Center for Study of Public Affairs, NORC.

That's about double those who mentioned the issue in a poll conducted last year by the Associated Press and NORC.

Concerns over the economy still overshadow other issues. But the new poll's findings show growing concern over the United States' involvement in overseas affairs — 20 percent expressed concern in the poll, up from 5 percent a year ago.

The data also show that the Israel-Hamas war is fueling public anxiety. The conflict was mentioned by 5 percent of respondents, while almost no one mentioned it a year ago. The issue has dominated geopolitics since Israel declared war on Hamas in Gaza following the group's October 7 attack on Israeli territory.

Four percent of American adults cited the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as an issue their government should focus on this year.

Foreign policy has gained importance among respondents from both parties. About 46 percent of Republicans mentioned it, up from 23 percent last year. And 34 percent of Democrats list foreign policy as a key issue, up from 16 percent a year ago.

Immigration is also a growing bipartisan concern.

Overall, the survey found that concerns about immigration rose to 35 percent from 27 percent last year. A majority of Republicans, 55 percent, say the government should focus on immigration in 2024, while 22 percent of Democrats listed it as a priority.

Poll/ More Americans think foreign policy should be a US priority

Although immigration and foreign policy were raised as issues, the economy remains a concern. Inflation has fallen, unemployment is low and the United States has consistently defied forecasts of an economic downturn, yet respondents have a bleak view of the economy.

About 76 percent of American adults said this time they want the government to focus on issues related to the economy in 2024, about the same as 75 percent who said so in 2022.

About 85 percent of Republicans and 65 percent of Democrats consider the economy a top issue.

A quarter of American adults say 2024 will be a better year than 2023 for them personally, and 24 percent expect it to be a worse year./ VOA