A line of U.S. Army M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles from the 3rd Infantry Division drive to their objective point near Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, July 28, 2025. An annual poll by the Ronald Reagan Institute found that support for NATO, Ukraine and a larger U.S. military is on the rise by Americans. (Christopher Saunders/U.S. Army)
STUTTGART, Germany — U.S. support for NATO, Ukraine and a larger American military is on the rise, according to a new survey that also found strong public backing for bombing suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean.
The Ronald Reagan Institute on Thursday released its annual survey on security issues, which also showed growing bipartisan support for the United States playing a central role on the international stage.
A record 64% of Americans want the United States to take the lead in international affairs, including 79% of self-described MAGA Republicans and 57% of Democrats, according to the survey’s findings. A large majority of those polled said American influence should be backed by hard power, with 87% saying it was important for the United States to have the most powerful military in the world.
“Across demographics and party lines, the American people want the U.S. military to remain the most powerful fighting force in the world,” the institute said in a statement.
An F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft flies over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford while operating in the western Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 13, 2025. The Pentagon’s campaign against suspected drug traffickers in Latin America and the Caribbean has broad support in a recent Ronald Reagan Institute poll. (Paige Brown/U.S. Navy)
But while there was broad bipartisan support for a strong U.S. military and corresponding favorability for longstanding alliances such as NATO, there was a sharp partisan divide on social issues and other hot button topics related to the military.
For example, 59% of those polled disapproved of renaming the Defense Department the Department of War. But the partisan division was severe, with 58% of Republicans supporting the name change compared to only 17% of Democrats.
On eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs, known as DEI, 76% of Republicans were in support and 69% of Democrats opposed the move. Similar partisan splits were found on restrictions for transgender military service and halting transition-related treatments through the military health care system.
One social issue that had majority support on both political sides related to gender-neutral fitness standards for combat roles with 73% of Republicans and 53% of Democrats in favor.
But on security matters, both sides showed signs of coming together.
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of, from left to right, two Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcons, two Spanish F-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harriers, two U.S. Marine AV-8B Harriers, and two Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft during a NATO-led flyover event over the Baltic Sea in 2024. A recent Ronald Reagan Institute poll found that 68% of those polled support NATO. (Elton Taylor/U.S. Marine Corps)
For example, NATO favorability reached its highest level, with 68% of those polled supporting the security bloc. The upswing was largely thanks to an increase in Republican support for the organization, which jumped from 50% in June to 60% when the poll was taken between October and November, according to the survey’s findings.
The shift could be related to President Donald Trump’s more favorable public statements about the alliance, which has responded to Trump’s demands that members increase their defense spending. Among those who initially favored an American withdrawal from NATO, learning about the allies’ recent defense spending commitments moved 18% to change their minds about quitting the alliance, the survey showed.
Meanwhile, a majority (62%) want Ukraine to prevail in its war with Russia, with 64% supporting the delivery of U.S. weapons to the country, up 9 points from last year.
The Pentagon’s campaign against suspected drug traffickers in Latin America and the Caribbean also has broad support, with 62% in favor of using military force.
U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper pilots land on the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island to refuel during a surface, search and control operation in the South China Sea in 2023. A recent Ronald Reagan Institute Poll found that if China invaded Taiwan, 60% of those polled would support committing U.S. forces to its defense. (Austin Gillam/U.S. Marine Corps)
Also, if China invaded Taiwan, 60% of those polled would support committing U.S. forces to its defense — up from 48% last year.
Being able to face down Russia and China simultaneously also was a priority for a majority of those polled, with 64% saying the U.S. military should be sized to fight and win two wars at once.
“This year’s survey underscores a clear message: Americans believe U.S. leadership is indispensable to global security and peace,” said Roger Zakheim, director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, in a statement Wednesday. “From record-high support for international engagement and NATO to growing backing for defending partners like Taiwan and Ukraine, the public understands that American strength—military, technological, and industrial—is the foundation of security in an era of rising authoritarian threats.”
The institute’s poll was conducted between Oct. 23 and Nov. 3 by a bipartisan research team at Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research.
