Reagan National Defense Survey Shows Record Public Support for Taiwan, Ukraine, NATO, and U.S. Global Leadership
Survey also shows 87% believe it is important for the United States to have the most powerful military in the world.
SIMI VALLEY, California — The Ronald Reagan Institute today released its eighth annual Reagan National Defense Survey, showing Americans continue to embrace President Reagan’s enduring principle of peace through strength. The survey reveals growing, bipartisan support for active U.S. leadership in the world, robust military power to deter authoritarian adversaries, strong alliances to defend freedom, and strategic investments in advanced defense capabilities. Across demographics and party lines, the American people want the U.S. military to remain the most powerful fighting force in the world.
“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. “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.”
Key Findings:
American Leadership: A record 64% of Americans say the United States should be more engaged and take the lead in international affairs, including 79% of MAGA Republicans and 57% of Democrats.
Military Superiority: Eighty-seven percent believe it is important for the United States to have the most powerful military in the world, and 71% agree peace is more likely when America is the strongest power.
Golden Dome: Sixty-eight percent support developing a “Golden Dome” homeland missile defense system.
Export Controls: Two-thirds (65%) favor strict limits on advanced AI chip sales to China.
Size of the Military: Nearly two-thirds (64%) say the U.S. military should be sized to fight and win two wars at once, including a significant plurality who support a force capable of defeating both China and Russia simultaneously.
Shipbuilding: Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) believe the United States needs greater manufacturing capacity after learning of China’s shipbuilding overmatch.
Ukraine: A strong majority (62%) want Ukraine to prevail in its war with Russia, and 64% support sending U.S. weapons, up 9 points from last year, with bipartisan gains (59% of Republicans, 75% of Democrats).
Latin America: A majority (62%) support using military force against suspected drug traffickers in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Taiwan: If China invaded Taiwan, 60% would support committing U.S. forces to its defense—up from 48% last year. Seventy-seven percent believe it is important for the U.S. military to defend Taiwan against Chinese aggression.
NATO: Favorability toward NATO has reached its highest level ever at 68%, with strong bipartisan support for Article V commitments.
The survey was conducted between October 23, 2025 and November 3, 2025 by a bipartisan research team at Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research. The overall sample size was 2,507. A summary of the survey and the full polling data are available online at www.reaganfoundation.org/defensesurvey.
RSVP to watch the session and additional RNDF programming virtually, live-streamed from the Reagan Library.
About the Reagan Foundation and Institute
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI) is the sole nonprofit organization created by President Reagan charged with advancing his legacy and principles – individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, peace through strength, and national pride.
A globally recognized nonpartisan organization based in Simi Valley, CA, with a leading policy institute in Washington, DC, RRPFI delivers impactful public affairs programming, policy convenings and projects of national and international significance, scholarly initiatives, and distinctive educational programs shaping the perspectives of middle, high school, and college students.
In addition, RRPFI sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the largest and most visited presidential library. A leading cultural institution, RRPFI houses a remarkable 125,000 square foot museum with unique historical pieces that tells the story of Ronald Reagan’s life, presidency, and enduring impact, and hosts world-class special exhibitions.
