
Episode #71
Ep. 71 - What Americans Really Think About Ukraine, NATO & U.S. Leadership w/Rachel Hoff
Do Americans really want the United States to retreat from the world? On this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine , host Gary Marx sits down with Rachel Hoff, Policy Director at the Ronald Reagan Institute , to examine the Institute’s 2026 summer survey and what Americans actually believe about U.S. foreign policy, NATO, Ukraine, and America’s role on the global stage. Hoff discusses polling showing strong support for American international engagement and the principle of “peace through strength,” including surprising findings among younger self-identified MAGA Republicans. The conversation also examines NATO, support for defending allies, U.S. weapons for Ukraine, European-funded weapons purchases, and what Americans believe a potential end to the Russia-Ukraine war should look like. The conversation covers: American support for global leadership and “peace through strength” What younger MAGA Republicans actually think about foreign policy Public support for NATO and defending NATO allies American attitudes toward weapons and support for Ukraine What Americans believe a just end to the war could look like Hoff also explains how partisan politics can influence foreign-policy attitudes while broader support for American leadership remains remarkably resilient. 00:00 — Introduction 01:08 — Rachel Hoff’s background growing up in Japan 04:17 — The Reagan Institute’s 2026 summer survey 05:34 — Do Americans want greater global engagement? 07:12 — What younger MAGA Republicans actually believe 10:02 — How the Reagan Institute conducts its polling 13:49 — Reagan, Trump & “peace through strength” 16:23 — Partisanship and American global leadership 18:10 — Foreign policy vs. domestic spending priorities 20:05 — What Americans think about NATO 23:23 — American support for Ukraine 26:32 — European-funded U.S. weapons for Ukraine 29:34 — How Americans think the Ukraine war should end 32:06 — Russia, Ukraine & America’s allies and enemies 34:18 — Is America still a “shining city on a hill”? 36:09 — Where to find the Reagan Institute polling 36:50 — Closing Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNW Follow us on social media X: @PeaceAndPower_ Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraine LinkedIn: Peace & Power Podcast TikTok: peace.power.ukraine Find more at Washington Signal Your source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism. https://washingtonsignal.com/






