In an extensive analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center, respondents from 25 nations shared their views on which country they consider the most crucial ally and which country poses the greatest threat to their own.
Participants had the liberty to choose any country that came to mind for both questions.
The surveys covered 28,333 adults across 24 different non-U.S. countries, including nations such as Canada, France, Germany, and Japan, from January 8 to April 26, 2025.
Responses were gathered primarily through phone interviews, while face-to-face surveys were conducted in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Kenya.
Australia’s data comes from a mixed-mode probability-based online panel.
In the United States, a separate survey comprised of 3,605 adults was conducted between March 24 and March 30, 2025, via the American Trends Panel.
The methodology ensured that survey subjects represent a broad demographic of the U.S. adult population, accounting for variables such as gender, race, ethnicity, and education.
When asked about their most important ally, many respondents worldwide mentioned the United States, which ranked as the top response in 12 of the 24 surveyed countries.
It also tied for first place in three additional countries.
Conversely, numerous respondents also categorized the U.S. as their greatest threat; this was the most common response in six countries and tied for the top position in two others.
In nations such as Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Kenya, the U.S. was identified as both the leading ally and the greatest threat.
Russia and China prominently emerged as significant threats as well.
In eight of the ten European nations surveyed, respondents identified Russia as their primary threat, with significant majorities in Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden naming it their greatest concern.
In the United States and several Asia-Pacific nations, respondents viewed China as their top threat, especially in countries like Australia and Japan.
People’s perceptions of threats seem to be influenced heavily by geographical proximity and historical context.
The survey included a total of 31,938 individual responses from 25 countries, with the field period ending just before significant global events, including military actions involving Iran.
Support for the U.S. as a crucial ally was especially strong in Israel, Japan, and South Korea, where few alternative allies were named.
In Canada and the United Kingdom, around half of respondents identified the U.S. as their most important ally.
In the U.S., the primary allies cited were the U.K., followed closely by Canada, with 18% and 12% of Americans naming these countries respectively.
While fewer than half of adults in nations such as Argentina, Australia, India, and Italy identified the U.S. as their most important ally, it still led the responses in each of these countries.
In Kenya and Nigeria, comparable numbers listed both the U.S. and China as significant allies, whereas in Hungary, people mentioned the U.S. and the European Union with similar frequency.
Despite being seen as a key ally in many areas, the U.S. also appears as a threat in eight countries; a noteworthy trend was observed in Canada and Mexico, where majorities regard the U.S. as their greatest threat.
Meanwhile, Argentina and Brazil also recognized the U.S. as a significant threat, indicating that this perception is rising in these countries.
Time comparisons show that the perception of the U.S. as a threat has increased dramatically in Canada, where it jumped from 20% in 2019 to 59% in the current survey.
Mexican concerns have also risen, showing a rise from 56% to 68% over the same period.
Despite these increases, a decline in threat perception towards the U.S. has occurred in Turkey, Argentina, and Israel.
In Turkey, for example, the share of respondents viewing the U.S. as a threat fell from 46% to 30% since 2019.
In Israel, the drop was particularly notable, with only 1% naming the U.S. as a threat today compared to 4% in 2019.
In addition to the U.S., both Russia and China have been identified as growing threats across the surveyed countries.
In the Americas, the U.S. remains the most common response to both ally and threat questions, highlighting a complex dynamic of international relations.
In Kenya, respondents noted equal importance for both the U.S. and China as allies, while the U.S. is tied for the top position regarding threats alongside Somalia.
Among European residents, eight out of ten countries identified Russia as the most significant threat, with notable variance in responses based on political affiliations.
Supporters of right-wing populist parties in various European countries tend to be less likely to see Russia as a top threat, demonstrating that political leanings can significantly influence perceptions of geopolitical alliances and threats.
In Hungary, some respondents even prioritize Ukraine as a threat over the more commonly noted Russia.
In the Asia-Pacific region and the U.S., there is a dominant sentiment that China poses the greatest risk.
In particular, Australia and Japan reported around 50% of their population views China as the biggest threat, while the perception in South Korea and India also remains significantly notable.
Contrasting perceptions of China have emerged among U.S. political parties, with Republicans more frequently acknowledging China as a threat compared to Democrats, who have shifted their focus increasingly towards Russia.
When comparing data over time, the U.S. identified China as the top threat alongside Russia in a previous survey, but recent responses have seen Democrats focusing more on Russia in recent months.
In India, the acknowledgment of China as a significant threat has spiked dramatically since 2019, while Canada has reported a decline in such perceptions.
Interestingly, Israel was unique in the survey results, as the majority of respondents there identified Iran as their top threat, rather than any of the great powers surveyed.
In Turkey, on the other hand, there has been a noticeable increase in the perception of Israel as a threat since 2019, where it surged from 10% to a considerable 43%.
Overall, the survey gives valuable insights into the complex feelings of trust and suspicion among nations, illustrating how geopolitics and national identities shape responses about allies and threats.
With evolving global circumstances, these views may continue to shift, presenting ongoing challenges and opportunities for international diplomacy.
image source from：pewresearch
