Though Biden is 80 years old, most global leaders are in their 50s and 60s, and the median age of current national leaders is 62.

Focus groups with young adults in France, Germany and the United Kingdom revealed that these young people see the U.S. as the “world’s policeman” with a self-interested history of interventionism, while China is labeled the “world’s factory,” respected for its economic dominance but criticized for its expansionism and human rights violations.

Twenty years ago this month, the U.S. launched a major invasion of Iraq. President George W. Bush and his administration at first drew broad public support for the use of military force. Yet the campaign soon left Americans deeply divided, and by 2019, 62% said the Iraq War was not worth fighting.

Though younger people tend to be more internationally oriented than older adults, they differ from one another over how they want their country to engage with the world. To better understand these perspectives, we conducted 16 focus groups with young adults in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Attitudes toward Russia and Vladimir Putin turned much more negative, while opinions of NATO grew more positive.

The share of Republicans who say the U.S. gives too much aid to Ukraine has steadily increased, from 9% in March 2022 to 40% now.

Belgium, Finland and Italy are among the European countries with the shortest median lengths of government.

More Americans say their country’s influence in the world has been getting weaker rather than stronger in recent years (47% vs. 19%).

Most think social media has made it easier to manipulate and divide people, but they also say it informs and raises awareness.

People in advanced and emerging economies have mixed feelings about social media’s impact on political life.