Western public opinion on global war and defense spending

A POLITICO poll conducted by Public First between February 6 and 9 reveals increasing public anxiety about a potential global conflict within the next five years. The survey of over 2,000 voters in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, and Germany indicates that many perceive a third world war as more likely than not. Americans and British respondents express the highest level of concern, with 46 percent and 43 percent respectively viewing conflict by 2031 as likely. Perceived threats vary by region, with Europeans citing Russia as the primary risk, while Canadians view U.S. policies under Donald Trump as the greatest security threat. Despite these fears, support for increased defense spending is highly conditional on economic impact. Public backing for higher budgets drops significantly in countries like Germany and France when trade-offs such as tax increases or cuts to public services are mentioned. Seb Wride of Public First noted that this sentiment creates a complex dilemma for NATO leaders attempting to bolster military capabilities amidst fiscal constraints.