This week, Washington’s Pew Research Center released a revealing study of US attitudes toward our role in the world. The result is a fascinating basket of contradictions. 57% say the US should deal with its own problems and let others deal with theirs. But, support for NATO remains very strong at 77%. And, support for increased defense spending is rapidly growing with a majority of Republicans supporting it and overall, more supporting increases than decreases. The best way to defeat terrorism splits along party lines with Republicans favoring more use of force, and Democrats favoring other means. Support for Israel remains strong but support for Palestinians is on the rise.This is part of the global earthquake of changing attitudes that is producing Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders, and many other non-traditional emerging leaders from Asia through the Americas and across Europe. It stems in some measure from the meltdown in the Middle East but probably as much to economic stagnation, uncertainty, and often hopelessness. Our world is changing in ways that are hard to understand and the implications of this change are even more difficult to predict. Every day Prime is watching this change to better understand its impact on our clients.

Gardner Peckham

Gardner manages Prime Policy Group's international practice. He has 30 years of experience in the design and implementation of federal policy on foreign relations, national security and international trade. Gardner co-leads our practice which services clients on issues related to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.