Poll: Americans move toward more active foreign policy

Republicans, in particular, are decidedly more inclined to support a more robust foreign policy. In April, 45% of self-identified Republicans wanted the U.S. to be less active in the world, while 29% said the country should be more active. In the September survey, Republicans wanted the U.S. to play a greater role in world events by a margin of 41%-34%.

Similar swings occurred among conservatives and people with post-graduate degrees. The views of Democrats were largely unchanged, while independents grew slightly more supportive of a more vigorous foreign policy.

This shifting sentiment comes as Mr. Obama lays out the steps he plans to take to beat back the Islamic State. The president signaled over the weekend that his response will involve a broad international coalition, but he insisted he has no plans to send a new wave of U.S. combat troops to the region to engage directly with Islamic militants.