Younger and older Republicans differ sharply in their views of several countries and international organizations, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. Republicans under 35 are more positive toward China and Russia than Republicans 50 and older, while older Republicans are far more favorable toward the Israeli government and Israeli people.
The analysis released Friday draws on several previously published national surveys, rather than a single poll. Its country ratings come from a Sept. 14-20 survey in which 5,193 U.S. adults rated randomly assigned countries on a 0-to-100 scale; findings about Israel, China, Russia and international organizations also draw on surveys from other dates.
In the September survey, Republicans younger than 35 rated China, Russia, Canada and Mexico more positively than Republicans 50 and older. The differences for China and Russia were in double digits on the rating scale, Pew said. Younger Democrats also rated China and Russia more warmly than older Democrats, but Pew found less consistent age divergence within the Democratic coalition.
Views of Israel run the other way
A May 2026 Pew survey found 68% of Republicans 50 and older viewed the Israeli government favorably, compared with 28% of Republicans under 35. Older Republicans were also more likely to view the Israeli people favorably, 79% to 43%.
Pew said the age gap in views of Israeli people has widened since 2019. At that time, 71% of younger Republicans and 82% of older Republicans held favorable views. The comparison concerns views of people, not support for a particular government policy.
The analysis includes independents who lean Republican or Democratic in each party group. It reports national patterns; it does not establish the opinions of Finger Lakes residents or voters in any specific New York community.
Enemy, competitor or partner?
In a January 2026 survey, 55% of Republicans 50 and older described China as an enemy of the United States, compared with 29% of Republicans under 35. Among younger Republicans, 60% called China a competitor. The question asked respondents to choose among enemy, competitor and partner, a different measure from the September feeling ratings.
On Russia, 71% of older Republicans called it an enemy, compared with 35% of younger Republicans. Younger Republicans were more likely to call Russia a competitor, at 48%. The Russia question also showed a substantial Democratic age gap: 71% of Democrats 50 and older called Russia an enemy, compared with 42% of Democrats under 35.
Pew also found older Republicans now view NATO more negatively than younger Republicans, an age gap it said was not statistically significant in 2022. Older Republicans have been more negative toward the United Nations than younger Republicans since at least 2020, according to the center's earlier surveys.
The findings describe differences among age groups at the times of the surveys. They do not show that individuals changed their views as they aged or identify a single cause for the gaps.
Featured photo: Karan Dalal/Pexels, asset 12226152.
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