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NEW YORK — As global conflicts continue to ignite, a startling new survey reveals that 80% of Americans are worried about the possibility of World War III. The study, conducted by Talker Research, paints a sobering picture of a nation on edge as international tensions rise and an uncertain election year looms.
The survey, which polled 1,000 Americans across party lines, found that concern about a potential global conflict transcends political affiliations. Republicans and third-party voters expressed the highest levels of anxiety, with 84% and 83%, respectively, fearing an impending world war. While slightly lower, Democratic concern remains significant, with 74% sharing similar worries.
Women expressed markedly higher levels of concern than men. A striking 85% of women feared the outbreak of a new global conflict, compared to 71% of men.
The specter of war feels particularly close to home for many Americans, with ongoing conflicts driving much of the concern. The Israel-Hamas conflict emerged as the primary worry for 55% of respondents, overshadowing ongoing concerns about the Russia-Ukraine war, which troubled only 28% of those surveyed.
Will the Fear of War Decide the 2024 Election?
In the event such a global crisis does break out, Americans appear divided on who they want to lead them through the crisis. When asked who would be a better leader during a world war, 50% of respondents chose Donald Trump over Kamala Harris, who garnered 41% support. Notably, 14% of third-party members expressed a lack of confidence in either candidate’s ability to handle an all-out global conflict.
The survey also explored hypothetical scenarios involving potential presidential successors. In a close race, 44% of respondents believed JD Vance would make a better replacement, while 43% favored Tim Walz. Breaking the results down by region, 52% of Southeastern Americans backed Vance, while 56% of Westerners put their faith in Walz. The gender divide persisted here as well, with women showing a slight preference for Walz over Vance (45% vs 40%).
As international tensions continue to simmer and domestic politics remain volatile, this survey underscores the palpable anxiety gripping the American public. With 80% of citizens concerned about the possibility of World War III, it’s clear that the specter of global conflict looms large in the American consciousness, shaping both personal fears and political preferences in these uncertain times.
Survey methodology
Talker Research surveyed 1,000 Americans who watched the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, October 1, split evenly by political party (400 Democrats, 400 Republicans and 200 Independent/Libertarian/Green Party members); the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 1 and Oct. 2, 2024.
