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Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
What Ted Cruz's Iran Moment Reveals About America's Foreign Policy Illiteracy
On June 17, Tucker Carlson asked Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) what should have been a simple question: What is the population of Iran? Cruz didn't know. Carlson then asked him to name the country's major ethnic groups. Cruz came up blank again. This was not a gotcha moment. It was a spotlight. Cruz is a senior U.S. senator, a former presidential candidate, and a vocal advocate for a hardline U.S. posture on Iran. The fact that he couldn't name the most basic demographic facts about the country he wants to confront says a lot about how foreign policy operates in the U.S., and who it's meant to impress. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) delivers remarks during a press conference on Capitol Hill on May 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) delivers remarks during a press conference on Capitol Hill on May 8, 2025, in Washington, happened in that exchange wasn't just awkward, it revealed something more troubling. It laid bare the way American foreign policy often functions: heavy on confidence, light on depth. When elected officials speak with authority but can't answer the most basic facts, it reveals more than a personal gap. It reflects a deeper failure in how we prepare, and tolerate, those who shape our foreign policy. Cruz reflects a pattern that's become far too common. According to a 2020 Morning Consult/POLITICO poll, only 23 percent of Americans could locate Iran on a map. The rest pointed to Eastern Europe, South America, even Australia. And yet the same electorate regularly weighs in on questions of war, sanctions, regime change, and diplomatic withdrawal. The reality is that many Americans have strong views on foreign policy, but no geographic or historical grounding to anchor them. In a moment of relative global calm, that gap might be more forgivable. But we aren't in a calm moment. In fact, we're in the most conflict-saturated period in recent history. According to the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), 2024 recorded the highest number of state-based armed conflicts since 1946. Sixty-one such conflicts were active last year, including four between nation-states, the highest number of interstate wars in over 35 years. Almost 130,000 people were killed in battle-related deaths globally. We don't just live in a volatile world. We live in a dangerously mismatched one, where the complexity and lethality of modern conflict is rising, while public literacy about that complexity is falling. And this isn't just a polling problem or a media failure. It's a democratic one. In a system built on civilian oversight of military and diplomatic power, ignorance becomes a liability. It allows narratives to be crafted not around facts, but around vibes. When voters can't distinguish between a proxy conflict and a territorial war, or don't understand where the Strait of Hormuz even is, it becomes easier for bad policy to sound like strong policy. Slogans win. Nuance loses. This isn't just a voter problem. It's a leadership problem. When our lawmakers are allowed to posture confidently on matters of war and peace without even the most basic command of regional realities, the public follows their example. We normalize strategic amnesia. We reward theatrical strength over intellectual depth. And we end up with a foreign policy debate that centers on volume, not value. We also risk generational disengagement. Younger voters are inheriting a global environment that is far more multipolar, fragmented, and ideologically diffuse than the Cold War framework their textbooks still teach. But they're doing so with less geographic instruction, less civic education, and more algorithmically filtered noise. If that continues, the quality of our foreign policy conversation will degrade even further, not just in accuracy, but in accountability. This disconnect weakens democratic oversight. It makes military action easier to sell and harder to question. It elevates performative certainty over strategic thought. And it turns foreign policy into something closer to domestic theater, a place for identity posturing rather than global consequence management. You don't need to be an expert on every region to have a valid opinion about the world. But you should at least be able to find the country on a map before you advocate for bombing it. And our elected officials should be able to answer basic demographic questions about the places they want to sanction or confront. Because when they can't, and when we don't care that they can't, the result isn't just ignorance, it's escalation. We are in a moment where ignorance no longer leads to inaction. It leads to conflict. And we're going to pay for that gap with more than just polling errors. We're going to pay for it with human lives, diplomatic credibility, and the erosion of global stability itself. Brett Erickson is a governance strategist and certified global sanctions specialist (CGSS). He serves on the advisory board of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law's Center for Compliance Studies. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Axios
a day ago
- Business
- Axios
M13 co-founder says communications is key to standing out in venture capital
Sharp, clear and persuasive communications are no longer optional for investors and founders, M13 co-founder Carter Reum said at an Axios event in Cannes. Why it matters: In a world where "everything is commoditized," Reum said, differentiation depends not just on what you build, but how you explain it and bring stakeholders along. What he's saying: "It's never been easier to start a company, but it's never been harder to be a successful company," Reum said. He says their success comes from the commitment to take "a very hands-on approach and then we communicate it. In everything we do, we have to have that reason for being, that reason to win, and that has to be communicated effectively." Between the lines: This also applies to the early-stage companies the venture capital firm invests in, he says. "One of the things that I look for in founders today is the ability to inspire, and what I mean by that, and why that's so important is, when you're starting off, you have to inspire or persuade a customer to take a chance on you," he said. "You have to persuade that key hire to come and leave their cushy job and come work for you. You have to inspire or persuade somebody like me to write you a $15 million check. And if you can do that every day, you have slightly better odds." By the numbers: A plurality of Americans think founders and CEOs need a public persona, according to a recent Morning Consult. Roughly 8 in 10 U.S. adults said a company's CEO affects their perception of that company, according to the survey. Meanwhile, executive posts on LinkedIn have surged 23% since last year, according to LinkedIn data shared with Axios. 70% of Gen Z want to hear from CEOs across social media, while 55% say they'd listen to CEO interviews on podcasts What to watch: Reum predicts AI will supercharge the way marketers and communicators work. Because AI can expedite the creation of content, "experiential events [will] become more valuable," he said. "I think it's people like my wife, [Paris Hilton], who prided herself on authenticity, [who] become more relevant. Because a year from now, a third of the things you look at on Instagram will be AI."
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Approval Rating Changes After 'No Kings' Protest
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's approval rating has shifted in the wake of the nationwide "No Kings" protests, according to new polling data released this week. Newsweek's tracker now shows Trump's net approval rating at -6 points, with 46 percent approving and 52 percent disapproving. That is Trump's lowest net approval rating since early May. It is also down from last week when Trump's net approval rating sat between -2 and -5 points. People form a human banner at Ocean Beach during the "No Kings" protests in San Francisco on Saturday, June 14, 2025. People form a human banner at Ocean Beach during the "No Kings" protests in San Francisco on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle/AP Why It Matters The protests took place last weekend in hundreds of U.S. cities, with large-scale gatherings reported in major hubs such as Philadelphia; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and New York. According to analysis by pollster G. Elliott Morris, they were attended by an estimated 4 to 6 million people. They came partly in response to Trump's decision to send 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles amid reported violence against law enforcement, specifically s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carrying out deportation raids in the city. What To Know Other polls have shown a downward trend in Trump's approval rating in recent days The latest YouGov/Economist poll, conducted between June 13-16 among 1,512 adults, put Trump's approval rating at 41 percent, down 2 points since last week, with 54 percent disapproving, up 2 points since last week. The latest Morning Consult poll, conducted between June 13-15 among 2,207 registered voters, put Trump's approval rating at 46 percent, down from 47 percent last week, with 52 percent disapproving, up from 51 percent. And in the latest J.L. Partners poll, conducted on June 16-17, Trump's approval held steady at 46 percent. But disapproval was up 11 points to 51 percent since their last poll in February. Approval also held steady in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll (June 11–16) at 42 percent, but his disapproval rose by 2 points to 54 percent. Poll Date Approve Disapprove Echelon Insights June 17-18 48 52 J.L. Partners June 16-17 46 51 Insider Advantage June 15-16 54 44 Fox News June 13-16 46 54 YouGov/Economist June 13-16 41 54 Morning Consult June 13-15 46 52 Ipsos/Reuters June 11-16 42 54 Clarity Campaign Labs June 5-14 47 50 Harris X June 11-12 46 50 Verasight June 6-12 42 56 Still, a handful of polls recorded slight gains for Trump—though largely within the margin of error. In the latest Echelon Insights poll (June 17-18) and Fox News poll (June 13-16), Trump approval rating was up 2 points, while disapproval was down by 1 point compared to last month. Meanwhile, an Insider Advantage poll, conducted on June 15-16 among 1,000 likely voters, put his approval rating at 54 percent, with 44 percent disapproving, giving him a net approval rating of +10 points. That was virtually unchanged from May. What Happens Next Trump's approval rating could fluctuate in the coming weeks, depending on the outcome of key events.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Approval Rating Goes Underwater in Two More States—Poll
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's approval ratings have dipped underwater in two states he won in the past election, further reducing his national popularity, according to a new poll. Why It Matters Trump's less than six months in office have been highlighted by aggressive federal actions to curb illegal immigration, a flurry of executive orders, economic uncertainty due to enforced tariffs, and now the potential U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict in the Middle East. What To Know A Morning Consult survey of voter sentiment towards Trump's job performance across all 50 states and updated on Wednesday shows his net approval rating above water in 26 states, down from 29 states in May. The president is newly underwater in Pennsylvania and Iowa, where Trump garnered roughly 50.37 percent and 56 percent of votes in his 2024 election victory against Kamala Harris. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as workers install a large flag pole on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 18, 2025. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as workers install a large flag pole on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 18, 2025. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images His numbers have also decreased in Arizona, now a statistical 49-49 percent dead heat. The results are based on Morning Consult's daily U.S. tracking survey among registered voters. Margins of error among registered voters vary by state, from as high as +/-6 percentage points in Wyoming to +/-1 point in more populous states like California. While Trump's positive net approval rating nationally remains slightly to his advantage, he's now viewed in a positive light in just three of his seven successful swing states that helped cement his second term: Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina. Voter sentiment could lend itself towards pivotal gubernatorial races this year, as well as midterm elections in 2026. Trump's approval ratings are underwater in Virginia, currently governed by Republican Glenn Youngkin, where 46 percent of voters approve of the president's job—down one percentage point since last month—and 52 percent disapprove. Trump's popularity or lack thereof has remained stagnant in New Jersey, where 44 percent express approval and 53 percent disapprove. Republican Jack Ciattarelli is attempting to flip the state red, facing off against Democratic Representative Mikie Sherrill in the Garden State's gubernatorial race. Looking ahead to next year's races that could sway control in Congress, Trump's disapproval rating in Maine—home to Republican Senator Susan Collins—dipped two more percentage points since May, now sitting at 59 percent. The states that approve and disapprove of Trump are Wyoming and Vermont, respectively, where 69 percent of voters approve and 64 percent of voters disapprove. Trump has touted other surveys in his favor, including a new Insider Advantage poll conducted on June 15-16 among 1,000 likely voters, which put his approval rating at 54 percent, with 44 percent disapproving, giving him a net approval rating of +10 points. "Great Poll Numbers For Trump!" the president wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. What Happens Next Domestic economics and war overseas could likely cause voter sentiment to fluctuate either in Trump's favor or against him.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Donald Trump's approval ratings amid protests: What the latest polls say
President Donald Trump's approval ratings continue to fluctuate. Most recent polls report that his approval ratings are slightly lower than his unfavorable ratings. Here's a look at Trump's latest approval ratings across the U.S. amid nationwide protests. Here are the latest approval ratings released for Trump's administration: Morning Consult Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Morning Consult poll (June 9, 2025): Favorable: 47% Unfavorable: 51% Note: this rating is slightly better than a 45% low in mid-April and up 46% from earlier in June. The disapproval rate has not changed in nearly a month. Rasmussen Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Rasmussen poll (June 12, 2025): Favorable: 53% Unfavorable: 45% The latest figures include 36% of U.S. voters who "strong approve" of the job Trump is doing as president as well as 37% of voters who "strongly disapprove," according to the report. Civiqs Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Civiqs poll (June 12, 2025): Favorable: 43% Unfavorable: 53% Neutral: 4% Quinnipiac University Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Quinnipiac University poll (June 11, 2025): Favorable: 38% Unfavorable: 54% Note: the percentage of voters who approve of how Trump is handling his job as president declined from 41% approval, down by 3 percentage points, since Quinnipiac University's April poll. The Economist Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest from The Economist (June 10, 2025): Favorable: 44% Unfavorable: 51% Not sure: 5% The latest report show that voters believe the top three most important Americans are facing is inflation/prices, jobs and the economy followed by health care. Cygnal Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Cygnal poll (June 5, 2025): Favorable: 46% Unfavorable: 51% Navigator Research Most recent Trump approval rating, specifically regarding the public's perception of President Trump, according to the latest Navigator Research poll (May 27, 2025): Favorable: 44% Unfavorable: 54% According to the report, 56% of Americans disapprove how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 42% who approve. Independents in particular "overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump's handling of the presidency with 33% in support and 58% not.) Reuters/Ipsos Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll (May 16-18, 2025): Favorable: 42% Unfavorable: 52% Gallup Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Gallup poll (May 1-18, 2025): Favorable: 43% Unfavorable: 53% No opinion: 5% Fox News Most recent Trump approval rating, according to the latest Fox News poll (April 18-21, 2025): Favorable: 44% Unfavorable: 55% Neutral: 1% A president's approval rating reflects the percentage of Americans polled who approve of the president's performance. Anything can impact a president's rating, such as legislation passed, actions and elections. According to ABC News, an approval rating doesn't just represent how well the administration is faring for the general public but could factor into the outcome of an upcoming election or how much they accomplish while in office. Presidential approval ratings were first conducted by the founder of the American Institute of Public Opinion, George Gallup, around 1935 to gauge public support for the president of the United States during their term. While Gallup has tracked presidential approval for 70 years, other organizations also conduct and release their own polls. Among them, Ipsos and Morning Consult. More than 90 'No Kings' protests are planned across New York state on Saturday, June 14, as part of a nationwide day of action opposing what organizers called 'authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of democracy.' The coordinated effort is expected to draw thousands of demonstrators to locations from Long Island to the Finger Lakes. The protests coincide with Trump's planned military parade in Washington, D.C., marking both Flag Day and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, as well as the president's 79th birthday. Contributing: USA Today Network This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Donald Trump approval ratings: What the latest polls say
