Americans see cyberterrorism as the most critical of 11 threats to U.S. vital interests. Nuclear weapons development by Iran or by North Korea are next, followed by international terrorism.

A new Bentley University-Gallup study shows Americans' confidence in the federal government's ability to improve their lives dropped sharply in 2026, although a majority still believe it has the power to do so.

Majorities of Americans express doubts about political accountability, the fair application of laws, and the balance of power in the federal government.

Read a review of where the American public stands on gun control, immigration, and climate change.

For the first time since Gallup began asking the question in 1994, a majority of Americans now oppose the use of nuclear energy. Forty-four percent are in favor, down significantly from 51% last year.

Americans remain evenly divided on nuclear energy, as they were in 2019, but this follows a period from 2004 to 2015 when majorities backed it. Support throughout has varied sharply by party.

Depending on their platform, social media users have different views on democracy, national identity and citizens' power.

Sixty-nine percent of Americans say the media have a lot of freedom, a record low and the first time the U.S. ranks below the OECD average.

Americans expect a difficult 2026, expressing pessimism about most economic, political and global matters — with the stock market a notable exception.

Americans' approval of Israel's military action in Gaza has fallen to a new low, along with the worst opinions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to date.