Poll: 80% of Americans view NATO as good for U.S.

Feb. 22 (UPI) -- A poll shows that 80 percent of Americans believe being a member of NATO is good for the United States, while 66 percent worry the country will enter a major war within four years.

In the NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll, 80 percent of people -- a majority in both political parties -- said NATO membership was good for the United States, while 15 percent said it was bad. Americans -- 61 percent -- also said they viewed the United Nations either very favorably or somewhat favorably.

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump promised an "America First" approach to domestic and international affairs. In the poll, 62 percent said the United States should consider the interests of its allies, even if it means compromising with them -- compared to 34 percent of Americans who said the United States should follow its own national interests, even when allies strongly disagree.

Trump has also said other NATO members should "pay their fair share" -- citing the U.S. contribution to the alliance far outweighs that of other member nations.

Whether they are worried the United States will become engaged in a major war in the next four years, 36 percent are very worried, 30 percent are somewhat worried, 25 percent are not too worried and 8 percent are not worried at all.

While 88 percent of Democrats or Democratic-leaning Americans said they are worried about a major war, 40 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning Americans said they worried.

On what Americans thought of Russia, 7 percent said Russia is an ally, 28 percent said Russia is friendly, 43 percent said Russia is unfriendly and 18 percent said Russia is an enemy.

When divided among party lines, 50 percent of Republicans said Russia is an ally or is friendly, compared to 49 percent of Republicans who said Russia is unfriendly or an enemy. For Democrats, 23 percent said Russia is an ally or is friendly, compared to 76 percent who said Russia is unfriendly or an enemy.

The poll comes as the United States is increasing its presence in NATO member countries near the Russian border. Most people in NATO-member eastern Europe nations view NATO as protection rather than a threat.