By Craig Langford, UKDJ

Seventy-four per cent of Britons now regard the United States as a serious threat to world peace over the next decade, up from 36 per cent in 2024 and close to the figures for Israel and Iran, according to the latest British Social Attitudes survey.

The National Centre for Social Research found that 89 per cent see Russia as a serious threat, up from 41 per cent in 1994, alongside 78 per cent for Israel, 75 per cent for Iran, 66 per cent for North Korea and 62 per cent for China. Saudi Arabia, at 34 per cent, is the only one of the seven countries named by fewer than three in five.

The US figure has swung sharply since President Donald Trump returned to office. It rose to 71 per cent in spring 2025, fell to 54 per cent in the autumn around his state visit to Britain, then climbed to 74 per cent after disputes with NATO allies over Greenland and the US and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran that began in February.

The report says that a clear majority regarding “Britain’s most important ally in the post-war international order as a threat to global peace is undoubtedly novel.” Green supporters are 46 points more likely than Reform UK supporters to see the US as a serious threat, the widest party gap for any country.

Asked generally, 42 per cent said Britain’s interests are best served by closer links with Western Europe and 9 per cent with the US. On military and defence interests, 37 per cent chose Western Europe, 14 per cent the US and 39 per cent both equally, with 55 per cent of Conservative and 54 per cent of Reform supporters choosing both. When the question named the European Union in place of Western Europe, 46 per cent picked the EU for defence and 10 per cent the US.

Sophia Gaston, the report’s author, said: “The post-Cold War peace that endured for so many years no longer shapes the country’s worldview. War in Europe, instability in the Middle East, strategic competition with China and doubts about American leadership have led to a psychological shift in Britain, putting foreign policy and national security at the heart of the collective consciousness.

“Britons have undoubtedly become more favourable towards Europe. In a clear break with the post-Brexit era, people have a clearer understanding of what the EU is and value practical ties in a world shaped by conflict.

“Yet it would be a mistake to conclude that the country sees defence in binary, ‘Europe versus America’ terms. Britons recognise the need for a diversified approach to security alliances; one built on balance, resilience and flexibility.”

The 2026 figures come from 1,985 interviews on the NatCen Opinion Panel between 30 April and 31 May. American B-1 and B-52 bombers flew from RAF Fairford during the US operations against Iran, and the last of them returned to the United States in October. Britain drew a red line on Greenland’s sovereignty during the dispute with Washington, and a separate poll for Adam Smith Insights in November 2025 found that 52 per cent of Britons feel less safe than they did in 2021.