Defense & National Security

Since the end of World War II, there have been 225 successful coups (counting the events in Zimbabwe) in countries with populations greater than 500,000, according to the Center for Systemic Peace, which maintains extensive datasets on various forms of armed conflict and political violence. Most coups occurred during the height of the Cold War, from the 1960s through the 1980s.

Just 8% of Russians believe the Russian Revolution was the country's most important event of the past century. A 34% plurality says it was World War II.

As Donald Trump sets off on his visit to Asia, the public has become increasingly concerned over North Korea’s capability and its willingness to use nuclear weapons against the United States.   

The resettlement of refugees in the U.S. has been fairly consistent across the country since 2002, with no state resettling a majority of them. In fiscal year 2017, no state resettled more than 10% of the 53,716 refugees the nation admitted that year.

In all, more than half a million asylum seekers from Syria during the 2015-16 migration surge had received permission to stay in Europe as of Dec. 31, 2016.

The Sept. 11 attacks united Americans in a way that few other historical events have.

The number of active-duty U.S. military troops stationed overseas has dipped below 200,000 for the first time in at least 60 years.

About eight-in-ten U.S. Muslims (82%) say they are either very (66%) or somewhat concerned (16%) about extremism committed in the name of Islam around the world.

John Kelly is the first chief of staff in more than four decades to come from the upper ranks of the military, and unlike most of his predecessors he has no prior work experience in the White House or campaign politics.

People around the world identify ISIS and climate change as leading international threats. Many also name cyberattacks from other countries and the condition of the global economy as major challenges.