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The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an American think tank focused on U.S. foreign policy and international relations. Founded in 1921, it is an independent and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with longstanding ties to political, corporate, and media elites.[3][4] CFR is based in New York City, with an additional office in Washington, D.C. Its membership has included senior politicians, secretaries of state, CIA directors, bankers, lawyers, professors, corporate directors, CEOs, and prominent media figures.

Key Information

CFR meetings convene government officials, global business leaders, and prominent members of the intelligence and foreign-policy communities to discuss international issues. CFR publishes the bi-monthly journal Foreign Affairs since 1922. It also runs the David Rockefeller Studies Program, which makes recommendations to presidential administrations and the diplomatic community, testifies before Congress, interacts with the media, and publishes research on foreign policy issues.

Michael Froman is the organization's 15th president.

History

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Origins, 1918 to 1945

[edit]
Elihu Root (1845–1937) served as the first honorary president (1921–1937) of the Council on Foreign Relations.[5] (Pictured 1902, age 57).

In September 1917, near the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson established a working fellowship of about 150 scholars called "The Inquiry", tasked with briefing him about options for the postwar world after Germany was defeated. This academic group, directed by Wilson's closest adviser and long-time friend "Colonel" Edward M. House, and with Walter Lippmann as Head of Research, met to assemble the strategy for the postwar world.[6]: 13–14  The team produced more than 2,000 documents detailing and analyzing the political, economic, and social facts globally that would be helpful for Wilson in the peace talks. Their reports formed the basis for the Fourteen Points, which outlined Wilson's strategy for peace after the war's end. These scholars then traveled to the Paris Peace Conference 1919 and participated in the discussions there.[7]: 1–5 

John W. Davis was the first elected CFR president[5]

As a result of discussions at the Peace Conference, a small group of British and American diplomats and scholars met on May 30, 1919, at the Hotel Majestic in Paris. They decided to create an Anglo-American organization called "The Institute of International Affairs", which would have offices in London and New York.[6]: 12 [7]: 5  Ultimately, the British and American delegates formed separate institutes, with the British developing the Royal Institute of International Affairs (known as Chatham House) in London. Due to the isolationist views prevalent in American society at that time, the scholars had difficulty gaining traction with their plan and turned their focus instead to a set of discreet meetings which had been taking place since June 1918 in New York City, under the name "Council on Foreign Relations". The meetings were headed by corporate lawyer Elihu Root, who had served as Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt, and attended by 108 "high-ranking officers of banking, manufacturing, trading and finance companies, together with many lawyers".[citation needed]

First CFR vice-president, attorney Paul Drennan Cravath

The members supported Wilson's internationalist vision but were especially concerned about "the effect that the war and the treaty of peace might have on postwar business".[7]: 6–7  Scholars from the Inquiry saw an opportunity to establish an organization that would bring together diplomats, senior government officials, and academics with lawyers, bankers, and industrialists to influence public policy. On July 29, 1921, they filed a certification of incorporation, officially forming the Council on Foreign Relations.[7]: 8–9  Founding members included its first honorary president, Elihu Root, and first elected president, John W. Davis, vice-president Paul D. Cravath, and secretary–treasurer Edwin F. Gay.[8][5]

Harvard Business School economist Edwin F. Gay, 1908.

In 1922, Gay, who was a former dean of the Harvard Business School and director of the Shipping Board during the war, headed the Council's efforts to begin publication of a magazine that would be the "authoritative" source on foreign policy. He gathered US$125,000 (equivalent to $2,348,161 in 2024) from the wealthy members on the council, as well as by sending letters soliciting funds to "the thousand richest Americans". Using these funds, the first issue of Foreign Affairs was published in September 1922. Within a few years, it had gained a reputation as the "most authoritative American review dealing with international relations".[6]: 17–18 

In the late 1930s, the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation began financially supporting the Council.[9] In 1938, they created various Committees on Foreign Relations, which later became governed by the American Committees on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C., throughout the country, funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation. Influential men were to be chosen in a number of cities, and would then be brought together for discussions in their own communities as well as participating in an annual conference in New York. These local committees served to influence local leaders and shape public opinion to build support for the Council's policies, while also acting as "useful listening posts" through which the Council and U.S. government could "sense the mood of the country".[6]: 30–31 

During the Second World War, the Council achieved much greater prominence within the government and the State Department, when it established the strictly confidential War and Peace Studies, funded entirely by the Rockefeller Foundation.[7]: 23  The secrecy surrounding this group was such that the Council members who were not involved in its deliberations were completely unaware of the study group's existence.[7]: 26  It was divided into four functional topic groups: economic and financial; security and armaments; territorial; and political. The security and armaments group was headed by Allen Welsh Dulles, who later became a pivotal figure in the CIA's predecessor, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). CFR ultimately produced 682 memoranda for the State Department, which were marked classified and circulated among the appropriate government departments•[7]: 23–26 

Cold War era, 1945 to 1979

[edit]
David Rockefeller (1915–2017) joined the Council in 1941 and was appointed as a director in 1949.

A critical study found that of 502 government officials surveyed from 1945 to 1972, more than half were members of the Council.[7]: 48  During the Eisenhower administration 40% of the top U.S. foreign policy officials were CFR members (Eisenhower himself had been a council member); under Truman, 42% of the top posts were filled by council members. During the Kennedy administration, this number rose to 51%, and peaked at 57% under the Johnson administration.[6]: 62–64 

In 1947, CFR study group member George Kennan anonymously published an article in Foreign Affairs titled, "The Sources of Soviet Conduct," in which he introduced the concept of "containment." The essay became highly influential in shaping U.S. foreign policy over the course of the next seven presidential administrations. Forty years later, Kennan remarked that he had never believed the Soviet Union intended to attack the United States, assuming that point was so self-evident it required no explanation in the original essay. William Bundy credited CFR's study groups with helping to lay the framework of thinking that led to the Marshall Plan and NATO. Due to new interest in the group, membership grew towards 1,000.[7]: 35–39 

CFR Headquarters, located in the former Harold Pratt House in New York City

Dwight D. Eisenhower chaired a CFR study group while he served as President of Columbia University. One member later said, "whatever General Eisenhower knows about economics, he has learned at the study group meetings."[7]: 35–44  The CFR study group devised an expanded study group called "Americans for Eisenhower" to increase his chances for the presidency. Eisenhower would later draw many Cabinet members from CFR ranks and become a CFR member himself. His primary CFR appointment was Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Dulles gave a public address at the Harold Pratt House in New York City in which he announced a new direction for Eisenhower's foreign policy: "There is no local defense which alone will contain the mighty land power of the communist world. Local defenses must be reinforced by the further deterrent of massive retaliatory power." After this speech, the council convened a session on "Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy" and chose Henry Kissinger to head it. Kissinger spent the following academic year working on the project at Council headquarters. The book of the same name that he published from his research in 1957 gave him national recognition, topping the national bestseller lists.[7]: 39–41 

CFR played an important role in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community.[10] CFR promoted a blueprint of the ECSC and helped Jean Monnet promote the ESCS.[10]

On November 24, 1953, a study group heard a report from political scientist William Henderson regarding the ongoing conflict between France and Vietnamese Communist leader Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh forces, a struggle that would later become known as the First Indochina War. Henderson argued that Ho's cause was primarily nationalist in nature and that Marxism had "little to do with the current revolution." Further, the report said, the United States could work with Ho to guide his movement away from Communism. State Department officials, however, expressed skepticism about direct American intervention in Vietnam and the idea was tabled. Over the next twenty years, the United States would find itself allied with anti-Communist South Vietnam and against Ho and his supporters in the Vietnam War.[7]: 40, 49–67 

The Council served as a "breeding ground" for important American policies such as mutual deterrence, arms control, and nuclear non-proliferation.[7]: 40–42 

In 1962 the group began a program of bringing select Air Force officers to the Harold Pratt House to study alongside its scholars. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps requested they start similar programs for their own officers.[7]: 46 

A four-year-long study of relations between America and China was conducted by the Council between 1964 and 1968. One study published in 1966 concluded that American citizens were more open to talks with China than their elected leaders. Henry Kissinger had continued to publish in Foreign Affairs and was appointed by President Richard Nixon to serve as National Security Adviser in 1969. In 1971, he embarked on a secret trip to Beijing to broach talks with Chinese leaders. Nixon went to China in 1972, and diplomatic relations were completely normalized by President Carter's Secretary of State, another Council member, Cyrus Vance.[7]: 42–44 

The Vietnam War created a rift within the organization. When Hamilton Fish Armstrong announced in 1970 that he would be leaving the helm of Foreign Affairs after 45 years, new chairman David Rockefeller approached a family friend, William Bundy, to take over the position. Anti-war advocates within the Council rose in protest against this appointment, claiming that Bundy's hawkish record in the State and Defense Departments and the CIA precluded him from taking over an independent journal. Some considered Bundy a war criminal for his prior actions.[7]: 50–51 

In November 1979, while chairman of CFR, David Rockefeller became embroiled in an international incident when he and Henry Kissinger, along with John J. McCloy and Rockefeller aides, persuaded President Jimmy Carter through the State Department to admit the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, into the US for hospital treatment for lymphoma. This action directly precipitated what is known as the Iran hostage crisis and placed Rockefeller under intense media scrutiny (particularly from The New York Times) for the first time in his public life.[11][12]

In his book, White House Diary, Carter wrote of the affair, "April 9 [1979] David Rockefeller came in, apparently to induce me to let the shah come to the United States. Rockefeller, Kissinger, and Brzezinski seem to be adopting this as a joint project".[13]

Membership

[edit]
Main article: Members of the Council on Foreign Relations

The CFR has two types of membership: life membership; and term membership, which lasts for 5 years and is available only to those between the ages of 30 and 36. Only U.S. citizens (native born or naturalized) and permanent residents who have applied for U.S. citizenship are eligible. A candidate for life membership must be nominated in writing by one Council member and seconded by a minimum of three others. Visiting fellows are prohibited from applying for membership until they have completed their fellowship tenure.[14]

Corporate membership is divided into "Associates", "Affiliates", "President's Circle", and "Founders". All corporate executive members have opportunities to hear speakers, including foreign heads of state, chairmen and CEOs of multinational corporations, and U.S. officials and Congressmen. President and premium members are also entitled to attend small, private dinners or receptions with senior American officials and world leaders.[15]

The CFR has a Young Professionals Briefing Series designed for young leaders interested in international relations to be eligible for term membership.[16]

Women were excluded from membership until the 1960s.[17]

Board members

[edit]

As of 2025, members of CFR's board of directors include:[18]

As a charity

[edit]

The Council on Foreign Relations received a three-star rating (out of four stars) from Charity Navigator in fiscal year 2016, as measured by an analysis of the council's financial data and "accountability and transparency".[19] In fiscal year 2023, the council received a four-star rating (98 percent) from Charity Navigator.[20]

Reception

[edit]

In an article for The Washington Post, Richard Harwood described the membership of the CFR as "the nearest thing we have to a ruling establishment in the United States".[21]

The CFR has been criticized for its perceived elitism and influence over U.S. foreign policy, with detractors arguing that it serves as a networking hub for government officials, corporate executives, and media figures, reinforcing an establishment consensus that prioritizes globalist policies over national interests.[4][22][23]

In 2019, CFR was criticized for accepting a donation from Len Blavatnik, a Ukrainian-born billionaire with close links to Vladimir Putin.[24] The council was reported to be under fire from its own members and dozens of international affairs experts over its acceptance of a $12 million gift to fund an internship program.[24] Fifty-five international relations scholars and Russia experts wrote a letter to the organization's board and CFR president Richard N. Haass:

"It is our considered view that Blavatnik uses his 'philanthropy'—funds obtained by and with the consent of the Kremlin, at the expense of the state budget and the Russian people—at leading western academic and cultural institutions to advance his access to political circles. We regard this as another step in the longstanding effort of Mr. Blavatnik—who ... has close ties to the Kremlin and its kleptocratic network—to launder his image in the West."[25]

Critics have accused the CFR of promoting interventionist foreign policies, stating that its reports and recommendations have often supported U.S. military interventions and regime-change efforts. Some opponents say that its influence contributes to a bipartisan consensus that favors global military engagement, economic neoliberalism, and the interests of multinational corporations.[26][27][28]

Publications

[edit]

Periodicals

[edit]

Foreign Affairs

[edit]
  • The council publishes the international affairs magazine Foreign Affairs. It also establishes independent task forces, which bring together various experts to produce reports offering both findings and policy prescriptions on foreign policy topics. CFR has sponsored more than fifty reports, including the Independent Task Force on the Future of North America that published report No. 53, entitled Building a North American Community, in May 2005.[29]
  • The United States in World Affairs (annual)[30]
  • Political Handbook of the World (annual)[30]

Books

[edit]
  • Tobin, Harold J. & Bidwell, Percy W. Mobilizing Civilian America. New York: Council on Foreign Relations, 1940.
  • Savord, Ruth. American Agencies Interested in International Affairs. Council on Foreign Relations, 1942.
  • Barnett, A. Doak. Communist China and Asia: Challenge To American Policy. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1960. LCCN 60-5956
  • Bundy, William P. (ed.). Two Hundred Years of American Foreign Policy. New York University Press, 1977. ISBN 978-0814709900
  • Clough, Michael. Free at Last? U.S. Policy Toward Africa and the End of the Cold War. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1991. ISBN 0876091001
  • Mandelbaum, Michael. The Rise of Nations in the Soviet Union: American Foreign Policy and the Disintegration of the USSR. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0876091005
  • Gottlieb, Gidon. Nation Against State: A New Approach to Ethnic Conflicts and the Decline of Sovereignty. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1993. ISBN 0876091591
  • Bruce Hoffman & Jacob Ware God, Guns, Sedition: Far Right Terrorism in America
A Council on Foreign Relations book, Columbia University Press, New York, 2024, 448 pages
ISBN 9780231211222

Reports

[edit]
  • "Confronting Reality in Cyberspace: Foreign Policy for a Fragmented Internet"[31][32] recommends reconsideration of U.S. cyber, digital trade and online freedom policies which champion a free and open internet, as having failed.[33]
  • US-Taiwan Relations in a New Era - Responding to a More Assertive China, Independent Task Force Report No. 81, co-chaired by Susan M. Gordon and Michael G. Mullen, directed by David Sacks.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

General and cited sources

[edit]
  • Shoup, Laurence and Minter, William (1977). Imperial Brain Trust: the Council on Foreign Relations and United States Foreign Policy. New York: Monthly Review Press.
  • Parmar, Inderjeet (2004). Think Tanks and Power in Foreign Policy: A Comparative Study of the Role and Influence of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1939−1945. London: Palgrave.
  • Schulzinger, Robert D. (1984). The Wise Men of Foreign Affairs. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0231055285.
  • Wala, Michael (1994). The Council on Foreign Relations and American Foreign Policy in the Early Cold War. Providence, RI: Berghann Books. ISBN 157181003X.
  • Grose, Peter (2006). Continuing the Inquiry: the Council on Foreign Relations from 1921 to 1996. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press.
[edit]
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Council on Foreign Relations

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The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, , and publisher founded on July 29, 1921, in to facilitate continuous conferences on international questions affecting the . Emerging from post-World War I efforts such as —a group advising President at the Peace Conference—the CFR was incorporated by key figures including as honorary president, as president, Paul D. Cravath as vice president, and Edwin F. Gay as director. Its mission centers on generating policy-relevant ideas, convening experts and policymakers, and promoting informed discussion to shape U.S. engagement with global affairs. Headquartered since 1945 at the Harold Pratt House on Manhattan's —a landmark donated by the widow of executive Harold Pratt—the has grown to include over 5,000 members from , , academia, and other sectors, with programs emphasizing diverse perspectives over time, including the admission of women in 1970 and expanded outreach beyond elite circles. Central to its activities is the bimonthly journal , launched in 1922, which provides in-depth analysis on , , and , alongside task forces producing bipartisan reports and fellowships training future leaders. The CFR's defining influence stems from its role in fostering elite consensus on , with alumni occupying pivotal positions across U.S. administrations, contributing to studies like the 1939–1945 project that informed postwar planning. However, it has faced persistent criticism for , with detractors arguing it perpetuates a self-selecting that prioritizes internationalist agendas over broader public input, exemplified by perceived disconnects on issues like Vietnam-era policies and a between membership and government roles. This has fueled debates on whether the CFR unduly shapes policy continuity, often aligning with interventionist and global integration priorities amid claims of limited accountability to electoral mandates.

Overview and Mission

Founding Principles and Objectives

The Council on Foreign Relations was established on July 29, 1921, in by a group of prominent Americans seeking to promote informed discourse on U.S. international involvement following . Its foundational purpose, as articulated in its charter, was "to afford a continuous conference on international questions affecting the , by bringing together experts on statecraft, finance, industry, education, and science." This objective emerged from dissatisfaction among U.S. delegates to the Paris Peace Conference, who formed inquiry groups to study global affairs and counter growing in American politics. , a laureate and former , played a pivotal role as the organization's founding chairman and honorary president from 1921 to 1937, emphasizing that "without good knowledge of international affairs there can be no good intelligent discussion of foreign policy and diplomatic conduct." Core principles included nonpartisanship, independence from government influence, and a commitment to confidential, high-level discussions restricted to U.S. citizens to foster candid exchange among elites in business, , academia, and . The founders, including , (first board president), Paul D. Cravath, and Edwin F. , aimed to elevate the quality of debate through study groups, private meetings, and the launch of Foreign Affairs magazine in 1922, which helped fund with a $25,000 contribution. These efforts were designed to support multilateral engagement and prepare the U.S. for leadership in world affairs, drawing on expertise to generate policy-relevant insights without advocating specific positions. The objectives extended to public and direct service to policymakers, particularly during crises, by providing rigorous to inform U.S. engagement with global challenges. While the organization positioned itself as a forum for diverse viewpoints transcending partisan divides, its early focus on internationalism reflected the founders' belief in sustained American involvement abroad to maintain stability and economic interests, as opposed to withdrawal from international institutions like of Nations. This framework laid the groundwork for ongoing research and convening activities aimed at enhancing national understanding of complexities.

Evolution of Stated Goals

The Council on Foreign Relations was established in with the explicit purpose of affording "a continuous on international questions affecting the , by bringing together experts on statecraft, , industry, , and ." This founding objective, articulated in its early organizational documents, aimed to counteract post-World War I isolationist tendencies by fostering elite-level discourse among American leaders on global engagement, emphasizing nonpartisan analysis over advocacy. The group's initial focus centered on promoting informed U.S. involvement in international affairs, particularly through study groups and publications like Foreign Affairs, launched in 1922 to disseminate expert insights. By the interwar and eras, the stated goals evolved modestly in emphasis to underscore the necessity of American internationalism, including support for mechanisms and economic reconstruction efforts, as reflected in internal studies like the 1940s War and Peace Studies project, which sought to equip policymakers with rigorous foreign policy recommendations without institutional endorsements. During the (1947–1991), CFR's objectives retained this core of convening experts for objective analysis but expanded to address strategies, alliance-building (e.g., ), and ideological competition with the , maintaining a commitment to "adding value to the public debate on international issues" through membership-driven discussions. This period saw no formal reconfiguration of goals but a practical broadening to include , , and economic interdependence, as evidenced in CFR reports influencing U.S. strategies like the . In the post-Cold War era (1992 onward), stated goals have crystallized around "informing U.S. engagement with the world" via idea generation, expert convening, and public discourse on emergent challenges such as , , great-power competition, and non-traditional threats like pandemics and climate policy. This iteration, formalized in contemporary mission statements, preserves the nonpartisan while incorporating initiatives for broader outreach, including diversity in international affairs (e.g., the 2007 Project for Diversity) and programming for state/local officials since 2018, to reflect American societal composition and enhance policy relevance. Unlike earlier emphases on bilateral or alliance-focused realism, recent articulations stress adaptive, forward-looking analysis amid multipolarity, though CFR maintains it has "remained true to its founding principles" of expert-driven, position-neutral inquiry. Annual reports through 2024 reaffirm this continuity, prioritizing "policy-relevant ideas" on issues like U.S.- relations and supply chain resilience without shifting to partisan or prescriptive stances.

Historical Development

Origins in the Interwar Period (1918-1939)

The Council on Foreign Relations originated from efforts to inform U.S. foreign policy following World War I, emerging from "The Inquiry," a group of over 100 experts assembled in 1917 by Colonel Edward M. House, advisor to President Woodrow Wilson, to prepare data for the Paris Peace Conference. This initiative reflected a push among American elites for structured analysis of international affairs amid debates over U.S. global engagement. In May 1919, during the Paris Conference, American delegates including met British counterparts at the Hotel Majestic on May 30, establishing the groundwork for parallel organizations to foster transatlantic dialogue on world order. The American participants returned to New York and formalized the Council on Foreign Relations, incorporated on July 29, 1921, with a charter emphasizing "a continuous conference on international questions affecting the ." Initial leadership included as honorary president, a former and recipient who served until 1937; as president; Paul D. Cravath as vice president; and Edwin F. Gay as secretary and treasurer. Early activities focused on countering U.S. through nonpartisan discussions and publications. In 1922, the Council launched Foreign Affairs magazine, edited by Archibald Cary Coolidge and later Hamilton Fish Armstrong, which by 1923 achieved a circulation of 5,000 and provided a platform for policy analysis. Membership expanded to 391 by 1927, supported by a $100,000 budget from private donors, enabling study groups on , , and . The organization hosted speakers such as French Premier in 1922 and produced resources like the Political Handbook of the World starting in 1927. During the 1930s, the halved the Council's budget, prompting reliance on member contributions and scaled-back operations, yet it persisted in advocating multilateral approaches amid rising global tensions, including the ascent of . By 1939, membership reached approximately 600, comprising leaders from , , academia, and , positioning the Council as a key forum for elite deliberation on interwar challenges.

World War II and Early Cold War (1940-1960)

During , the Council on Foreign Relations intensified its collaboration with the U.S. State Department through the War and Peace Studies project, initiated in and continuing until 1945. This effort, funded by a $350,000 grant from the , involved approximately 100 participants organized into five specialized study groups addressing economic, financial, security and armaments, territorial, and political issues. The project produced 682 memoranda and convened 362 meetings, providing confidential policy recommendations to a resource-strapped State Department on topics such as strategic resource allocation, post-war territorial settlements, and the extension of U.S. influence into a "grand area" encompassing the , the , and parts of to secure American economic interests. Key figures included director Percy W. Bidwell, leading the armaments group, Isaiah Bowman heading territorial studies, and on , whose inputs influenced decisions like the U.S. occupation of in 1941 under the to counter Axis threats. The project's outputs directly informed U.S. wartime and transitional policies, including aid distribution and preparations for international organizations, though the CFR maintained operational independence to avoid governmental constraints on its analyses. By 1942, the initiative incorporated a Peace Aims Group, commending State Department integration for enhanced efficacy, and contributed to foundational planning for the and post-war economic reconstruction without assuming formal policymaking authority. This period marked the CFR's evolution from interwar discussion forums to a pivotal advisory body, leveraging its membership of business leaders, diplomats, and scholars to bridge private expertise with amid escalating global conflict. In the early Cold War years following 1945, the CFR shifted focus to Soviet and European recovery, exemplified by its publication of George F. Kennan's anonymous "The Sources of Soviet Conduct" in the July 1947 issue of , which articulated the long-term, patient of Soviet expansionism as a core U.S. strategy. This article, drawing on Kennan's State Department experience, influenced the and broader anti-communist frameworks, with circulation expanding from 19,110 subscribers in 1950 to over 47,000 by 1962 amid heightened demand for such analyses. The CFR hosted dedicated winter programs and study groups on European economic aid, contributing intellectual groundwork for the announced in June 1947, which allocated $13 billion (equivalent to over $150 billion today) to rebuild and counter Soviet influence. Through the 1950s, CFR study groups under chairs like examined , integration, and , producing reports that shaped debates on U.S. alliances and deterrence, including Henry Kissinger's 1957 book Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy, a advocating limited nuclear options over . Members such as and John McCloy held key government roles, facilitating informal channels for policy input, while the organization's nonpartisan structure enabled candid assessments of threats like Soviet atomic advancements in 1949 and the outbreak in 1950. These activities solidified the CFR's role as an elite convener, prioritizing empirical geopolitical realism over ideological extremes, though critics later noted its alignment with views favoring global engagement.

Height of Cold War Influence (1961-1991)

During the era from 1961 to 1991, the Council on Foreign Relations maintained a pivotal role in U.S. formulation through its network of elite members, many of whom transitioned between CFR leadership and key government positions. Under Chairman until 1970 and from 1970 to 1985, the organization facilitated private seminars and study groups that analyzed Soviet threats, nuclear deterrence, and alliance management, often aligning with the containment doctrine established post-World War II. Presidents Grayson Kirk (1964–1971) and Bayless Manning (1971–1977) oversaw expanded membership exceeding 2,000 by the mid-1970s, drawing in policymakers, academics, and business leaders to debate strategies amid crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis and the escalation. This period marked the CFR's zenith of influence, as its nonpartisan facade masked a consensus favoring robust U.S. global engagement against , evidenced by the integration of CFR-generated reports into State Department planning. CFR members dominated advisory and executive roles across administrations, directly shaping Cold War responses. Henry A. Kissinger, a member since 1956 and director from 1977 to 1981, exemplified this as National Security Advisor (1969–1975) and (1973–1977), where he orchestrated with the —including the 1972 SALT I treaty limiting strategic arms—and the 1972 opening relations with to counterbalance . Similarly, William P. Bundy, a director from 1964 to 1974, served as of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (1964–1969), contributing to the and escalation decisions that committed over 500,000 U.S. troops by 1968. Cyrus R. Vance, director in 1968–1976 and 1981–1987, advised on Vietnam withdrawal as Deputy Secretary of Defense (1964–1967) before becoming (1977–1980), negotiating the 1979 SALT II treaty amid debates over Soviet expansion in . These rotations underscored the CFR's function as a talent pipeline, with empirical data from its studies—such as projections of Soviet military spending outpacing U.S. budgets by 20% in the —influencing congressional appropriations for defense exceeding $300 billion annually by the 1980s. The Foreign Affairs journal amplified CFR perspectives, publishing over 200 articles on topics between 1961 and 1991 that cited verifiable intelligence assessments and economic analyses to advocate multilateral institutions like . Issues from the , for instance, critiqued by quantifying the economic costs of Soviet influence in at $10–15 billion in lost trade, bolstering arguments for intervention. Under as president (1977–1985), the CFR hosted Reagan-era discussions on the , with members like —a director from 1977 to 1979—later implementing "" as vice president and president, correlating with Soviet GDP stagnation at 2% annual growth versus U.S. 3–4% through the 1980s. By 1991, as the USSR dissolved, CFR analyses had shifted toward post-containment frameworks, reflecting causal links between sustained U.S. pressure—fueled by its policy inputs—and the Eastern Bloc's internal collapse, with verifiable metrics like the Warsaw Pact's 40% conventional force reductions under the 1990 CFE Treaty. Critics, including declassified State Department memos, noted the CFR's emphasis on elite consensus sometimes overlooked domestic dissent, yet its outputs consistently drew on primary data from allied intelligence to prioritize geopolitical realism over ideological purity.

Post-Cold War and Contemporary Era (1992-2025)

Following the in 1991, the Council on Foreign Relations shifted its analytical focus from superpower containment to emerging challenges including ethnic conflicts, , , and the integration of former communist states into international institutions. In 1993, under new President , the organization launched its Independent Task Force program, producing its inaugural report on U.S. policy toward , which advocated for strengthened nonproliferation regimes amid post-Cold War uncertainties. Gelb's tenure (1993–2003) emphasized financial stabilization—transforming a $750,000 deficit into a $2 million surplus—and membership expansion, growing the roster by 50% to 3,988 members by 2000 while initiating the Project for Diversity in International Affairs to broaden demographic representation. The mid-1990s saw CFR engage with globalization's implications through initiatives like the 1993 National Program and partnerships such as the one with the Pacific Council on International Policy, fostering regional dialogues on trade and security. Foreign Affairs, edited by James F. Hoge Jr. from 1992 to 2010, published influential pieces including Samuel Huntington's 1993 essay "The Clash of Civilizations?", which posited cultural fault lines as drivers of future conflict, sparking debates on multiculturalism's role in international stability. The Council also hosted foreign leaders, such as Fidel Castro in 1995, to discuss post-Soviet hemispheric relations, reflecting its role in facilitating elite-level exchanges amid U.S. policy shifts toward engagement over isolation. The September 11, 2001, attacks prompted a rapid pivot toward , with CFR establishing task forces on terrorism's root causes and U.S. responses, including analyses of al-Qaeda's global networks. Under President (2003–2023), who succeeded Gelb, the organization opened a , office in 2008 to enhance proximity to policymakers, raised $123 million via the "Campaign for the Council," and diversified membership to include 31% women and 18% people of color by 2020. Haass critiqued aspects of the execution in 2003, while task force reports influenced debates, such as Gelb's proposed "" for partitioning to address sectarian divisions. The 2006 hosting of Iranian President drew criticism for platforming adversarial views, underscoring tensions between CFR's nonpartisan dialogue mandate and public perceptions of legitimizing regimes hostile to U.S. interests. In the 2010s, CFR expanded digital outreach with launches like the 2013 Global Conflict Tracker for real-time crisis mapping, the 2016 Model Diplomacy simulations for policy education, and podcasts such as The President's Inbox. edited Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2021, overseeing adaptations to online formats amid rising circulation. Task forces addressed great-power competition, including reports on innovation and national security emphasizing U.S. technological edge against rivals like . Leadership transitioned with David M. Rubenstein assuming the chairmanship in 2017, following co-chairs Carla A. Hills and Robert E. Rubin (2007–2017). The 2020s have centered on multipolar threats, including China's economic assertiveness and Russia's 2022 invasion of , with CFR reports like "No Limits?" analyzing the deepening China-Russia quasi-alliance as a challenge to U.S.-led order. Recent CFR expert assessments, such as the Preventive Priorities Survey, identify 2026 as a year of elevated risks for U.S. military involvement, including a high likelihood of direct strikes in Venezuela targeting transnational criminal groups, potentially destabilizing the Maduro government, and contingencies such as a Taiwan Strait crisis with China. The accelerated virtual programming and public engagement via platforms like Think Global Health. Membership exceeded 5,000 by 2021, incorporating more corporate and international voices, while education initiatives such as World101 courses targeted broader audiences on issues from climate policy to automation's impacts. Michael B.G. Froman succeeded Haass as president in 2023, continuing emphases on preventive action and amid U.S. strategic reorientations. Throughout, CFR's influence persists through nonpartisan analysis, though its elite composition has fueled critiques of alignment with establishment foreign policy consensus over dissenting perspectives.

Organizational Structure

Membership Selection and Demographics

Membership selection for the Council on Foreign Relations occurs through an invitation-only process emphasizing by existing members and evaluation by the . Candidates submit an online application, including a , accompanied by a formal from one current member and seconding letters from two to three (for term membership) or three to four (for life membership) other members; applications are reviewed twice annually, with deadlines on January 10 for term members and March 1 or November 1 for life members, followed by notifications in June or March. Eligibility requires citizenship or permanent residency with an application for citizenship pending, excluding current visiting fellows; active officials may join only upon leaving office. The distinguishes between life membership, intended for established professionals over age 36 demonstrating substantial expertise in international affairs, and term membership, a five-year appointment for emerging leaders aged 30 to 36 as of January 1 in the application year. Selection criteria prioritize intellectual attainment, professional achievement and experience, commitment to the Council's mission of fostering informed debate on , potential to contribute meaningfully to its programs, and peer-recognized standing, with deliberate efforts to ensure quality, diversity, and balance reflective of varied American interests in global issues. As of January 2025, the Council maintains over 5,000 individual members, alongside separate corporate memberships for institutions. Geographically, members are concentrated in New York and Washington, D.C., with the remainder distributed across other U.S. regions and abroad, supporting regional programs in 11 additional cities. Professionally, the roster comprises leaders from government (including former officials), academia and scholarship, business and finance, journalism, law, and nonprofit sectors, forming a network unmatched in collective experience on foreign policy matters. In fiscal year 2024, the Council elected 195 new term members, its largest cohort and noted for enhanced diversity in backgrounds and perspectives.

Leadership and Governance

The governance of the Council on Foreign Relations is vested in its , which holds ultimate authority over strategic direction, policy, and operations, subject to the organization's bylaws adopted in 1921 and amended periodically. The Board comprises up to 36 directors, including the President as an , organized into five classes of seven directors each to facilitate staggered terms. Directors must be members of the Council and are elected by a majority vote of the membership at large during the annual election held in , with nominations proposed by the Nominating and Governance Committee; a quorum requires one-third of voting members. Terms last five years, starting July 1 following election, with directors limited to one consecutive full term after serving three or more years of any term; vacancies are filled by Board appointment until the next annual election. Officers, including the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairmen, President (who serves as ), Vice Presidents, Secretary, and , are elected by the Board, with the Chairman serving a five-year term (renewable once) and other officers elected annually. The Chairman presides over Board meetings and represents the organization externally, while the President manages daily operations, supported by Vice Presidents in their absence; the oversees , and the Secretary maintains records. An interim Chairman or Vice Chairman may be appointed for up to 12 months during transitions. Attendance requirements stipulate that directors failing to attend at least two-thirds of Board and assigned meetings over two consecutive years may be deemed to have resigned at the Chairman's discretion. As of 2025, David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of , serves as Chairman, having been elected to the position on June 16, 2017. Vice Chairmen include Blair W. Effron, co-founder of , and Jami Miscik, senior advisor at Geopolitical Advisory. Michael Froman, former U.S. Trade Representative under President and subsequent vice chairman at , was appointed President on March 1, 2023, succeeding Richard Haass and assuming duties on July 1, 2023. The Board's current composition, exceeding 40 members when including officers and active directors, features prominent figures from finance, business, media, and policy, such as Citi CEO Jane Fraser, Alphabet's , and Lockheed Martin CEO James D. Taiclet, reflecting a network of established elites in these sectors. The Board delegates operational oversight through standing committees, including the Executive Committee (comprising the Chairman and Vice Chairmen, empowered to act on Board authority between meetings), and , , , Compensation, Nominating and , and program-specific groups like Meetings, Membership, and Studies. Committees typically include at least three Board members and may co-opt non-directors for expertise; for instance, the Development Committee has up to 10 members to manage . The Board retains disciplinary powers, including unanimous votes to suspend or terminate members for conduct deemed prejudicial to the Council's interests. Annual meetings of members review activities, elect directors, and ensure accountability.

Operational Framework

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) functions as an independent, nonpartisan membership organization and , emphasizing research, expert convenings, and publications to inform discourse on U.S. and without adopting official positions on specific policies. This operational model relies on a headquarters at the Harold Pratt House in , where staff coordinate activities including the production of reports, backgrounders, and analyses through the David Rockefeller Studies Program, which comprises over 70 full-time, visiting, and adjunct fellows dedicated to scholarly inquiry. Thematic centers and programs—such as those on , , preventive action, and digital policy—organize research efforts, enabling focused studies on regional and functional issues while maintaining institutional neutrality. Daily operations are directed by the President, who holds ultimate responsibility for strategic execution, assisted by an Executive Vice President and overseeing administrative functions and a Senior Vice President directing studies and initiatives. The editing of , the organization's flagship quarterly journal established in , falls under a dedicated editor who ensures publication of diverse viewpoints from scholars and practitioners. Internal decision-making prioritizes empirical analysis and first-principles evaluation of global challenges, with staff roles emphasizing rigorous, evidence-based output over advocacy, though the framework's emphasis on elite membership has drawn scrutiny for potentially skewing toward establishment perspectives despite formal independence. A core element of the operational framework is a set of binding rules and practices to safeguard candid exchange and ethical conduct. The CFR maintains no institutional stance on matters, as formalized in a 1973 board resolution prohibiting any representative from speaking on its behalf in this domain. Meetings, which form a primary activity for fostering debate among members and experts, adhere to a non-attribution —adopted in 1977 and revised in 1994 and 2015—ensuring statements remain off-the-record unless an officer announces otherwise, thereby encouraging unfiltered discussion. Guidelines from a 1972 resolution direct chairs to promote open debate and respect all viewpoints, while a mandates courtesy at events, bans , and permits member suspension for behavior prejudicial to the organization's interests under provisions. Conflicts of interest are addressed through mandatory disclosures for staff and board members involved in financial transactions, with reviews conducted by independent directors or the to ensure fairness, as updated in policies from and 2018. Archival operations preserve institutional records, granting access to materials over 25 years old at Princeton University's Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library under non-attribution conditions since 1999. This structure supports the CFR's role as a convener for policymakers, leaders, and academics, generating outputs like independent reports that influence but do not dictate public or governmental decisions.

Funding and Resources

Revenue Sources and Donors

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) derives its revenue from a diversified portfolio including endowment distributions, philanthropic contributions, membership dues, and earned income from publications and events. In fiscal year 2024, CFR reported total revenue of $90.6 million. Endowment draws constituted the largest share at 29%, drawn from an endowment valued at approximately $670 million as of the 2025 fiscal year end. Philanthropic gifts and grants accounted for 35% collectively, encompassing unrestricted annual fund contributions (18%), foundation grants (5%), other restricted grants (11%), and corporate restricted grants (1%). Membership dues contributed 18%, split between individual members (11%) and corporate members (7%), while Foreign Affairs magazine generated 13% through subscriptions, advertising, and sponsorships. Remaining sources included investment management draws (1%), rental income, and miscellaneous fees (3%).
Revenue CategoryPercentage (FY24)Approximate Amount (based on $90.6M total)
Endowment Draw29%$26.3M
Unrestricted Gifts (Annual Fund)18%$16.3M
Individual Member Dues11%$10.0M
Foreign Affairs13%$11.8M
Corporate Member Dues & Related7%$6.3M
Foundation Grants (Restricted)5%$4.5M
Other Grants (Restricted)11%$10.0M
Corporate Grants (Restricted)1%$0.9M
& Miscellaneous5%$4.5M
CFR maintains policies prohibiting from foreign s or majority foreign-owned entities, and U.S. support is limited to fellowships for up to six visiting scholars annually; corporate contributions do not fund individual research projects, and donors are barred from influencing research outcomes or personnel selections. Individual donations form a core component, with over one-third of members participating in the annual fund; high-level giving circles include the Chairman's Circle ($50,000–$99,999) and Harold Pratt Associates ($25,000–$49,999), comprising dozens of benefactors annually. Notable individual contributions have included $12 million from Leonard Blavatnik in 2019. Corporate support arises mainly through 104 corporate memberships as of October 2025, tiered by contribution level: 19 Gold members (e.g., Amazon, , , , , ), 24 Silver members (e.g., Airbus Americas, , , , ), and 61 Bronze members (e.g., , , , , ). These memberships provide access to briefings and resources but represent unrestricted dues rather than project-specific funding. Additional corporate grants, though minimal at 1% of revenue, have included support from in 2020. Foundation grants, totaling 5% of FY24 revenue, support restricted programs and have historically included major endowments from the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations since the 1930s. Recent examples encompass grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2020, as well as $3 million from Stanford University across 2017–2019. Full donor listings are published annually, emphasizing private philanthropy over public funds to preserve operational independence.

Financial Transparency and Tax Status

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) operates as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the , classifying it as a public charity focused on educational and research activities in international affairs. This status, granted since its incorporation in 1921, exempts CFR from federal income taxes and allows donors to claim tax deductions for contributions to the extent permitted by law. CFR's is 13-1628168. As a 501(c)(3) entity, CFR is required to file annual IRS Form 990, which discloses financial operations including revenue, expenses, assets, and executive compensation, and these filings are publicly accessible. The organization proactively publishes its Form 990 documents on its website, with the fiscal year 2022 return detailing revenues of approximately $102.6 million, expenses of $79.1 million, and net assets exceeding $674 million. CFR also releases audited financial statements prepared by independent certified public accountants, confirming compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and tax-exempt status under both federal and New York State law. Regarding donor disclosure, CFR states that it publishes a full list of contributors annually alongside its annual reports, which are available on its and cover funding sources supporting programs, publications, and operations. While Form aggregates revenue by category—such as membership dues, corporate memberships, and grants—without always itemizing individual donors below certain thresholds (with Schedule B portions often redacted for in public releases), the organization's self-reported practice of listing donors in annual reports enhances visibility into its financial base. Charity evaluators like have assigned CFR full credit for tax form disclosures and policies, reflecting adherence to transparency standards for nonprofits.

Core Activities

Publications and Research Output

The Council on Foreign Relations publishes Foreign Affairs, a bimonthly established in as its flagship periodical, serving as a primary venue for in-depth analysis of and U.S. by scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. The publication features peer-reviewed articles, essays, and book reviews, with contributions from figures such as former secretaries of state and academic experts, emphasizing substantive debate over partisan advocacy. Circulation details are not publicly itemized, but it reaches a global audience of policymakers, including regular citations in congressional hearings and executive briefings. CFR's research output includes reports, council special reports, and independent studies addressing pressing policy challenges, such as space security and nonlethal weapons capabilities. The Task Force Program, ongoing since the organization's early decades, convenes bipartisan panels of experts to produce consensus recommendations; notable examples include the February 2025 Securing Space: A Plan for U.S. Action, which outlined strategies for countering orbital threats, and earlier works like the 2005 Building a North American Community advocating deeper . Council Special Reports provide rapid, concise analyses for emerging crises, exemplified by the 2020 Revitalizing the State Department and American Diplomacy. In the fiscal year ending 2025, CFR researchers produced nearly 800 articles, op-eds, and reports, disseminated through its website, partnerships, and the Studies Program, which funds targeted investigations into global issues like trade wars and cybersecurity. Books and monographs, often co-published with academic presses, extend this output, covering topics from to ; sales and distribution target experts and libraries rather than mass markets. These materials prioritize data-driven assessments, drawing on declassified , economic metrics, and historical precedents, though critics note a recurring emphasis on multilateral institutions reflective of the organization's membership demographics.

Meetings, Forums, and Programs

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) organizes over one hundred on-the-record events annually, including in-person meetings, conference calls, podcasts, and forums that convene senior officials, global leaders, business executives, and experts to discuss international affairs. These activities facilitate dialogue on pressing global issues, with events held primarily in New York and , emphasizing nonpartisan analysis. The Meetings Program offers CFR members exclusive in-person access to world leaders, senior officials, and members of , fostering off-the-record discussions alongside public sessions. Complementing this, the Corporate Program provides tailored roundtables for business executives on topics such as cybersecurity, finance, geopolitical risks, and trade, enabling corporate members to engage directly with policymakers and experts. Specialized forums include the Religion and Foreign Policy Roundtables and Webinars, which gather faith leaders, religion scholars, and policy experts to examine the intersection of and U.S. , such as and . The Council of Councils, a multilateral initiative, hosts annual conferences—such as the fourteenth in New York on May 18-20, 2024—bringing together representatives from global think tanks to address , conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine , , and emerging technologies including . Public-facing programs feature forums like the Series, which in one iteration examined the future of and its role in U.S. , and Election 2024 U.S. Public Forums held in collaboration with universities to analyze international stakes in domestic elections. These initiatives extend CFR's reach beyond membership, promoting broader public engagement with debates.

Policy Studies and Initiatives

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) maintains a Studies Program that generates independent research, reports, and analyses on U.S. challenges, drawing on expert fellows and external contributors to inform policymakers. This program, including the Studies Program, supports the production of reports, backgrounders, and policy briefs that evaluate global issues such as , technological competition, and international institutions. In its 2025 annual report, CFR noted expansions in existing initiatives and the launch of new ones, emphasizing pragmatic assessments over ideological prescriptions. A core component involves sponsoring Independent Task Forces, which convene diverse experts to diagnose policy problems and propose actionable recommendations, often benchmarking against prevailing U.S. government positions to clarify divergences. These nonpartisan groups produce public reports intended to influence executive and legislative debates; for instance, the on , launched in 2024 and co-chaired by former Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo and former Deputy Treasury Secretary Justin G. Muzinich, examines intersections of , , and national resilience amid global vulnerabilities. Similarly, the 2019 on Innovation and , directed by experts including former officials, urged reforms to sustain U.S. dominance in emerging technologies like and against competitors such as . Other task forces address domain-specific threats; the February 2025 report from the on Securing Space outlined strategies for U.S. in orbital domains, recommending enhanced public-private partnerships and deterrence measures against by adversaries. The on Confronting Reality in Cyberspace analyzed fragmented digital and advocated for resilient U.S. cyber policies focused on attribution, alliances, and private sector integration rather than unattainable global norms. These efforts prioritize empirical evaluation of risks, with reports citing data on investment gaps—for example, U.S. federal R&D funding trailing private sector needs by billions annually in critical tech areas. Beyond task forces, CFR runs targeted initiatives to deepen analysis on thematic priorities. The Renewing America initiative scrutinizes domestic policies' foreign policy implications, such as infrastructure investments and workforce programs that bolster economic competitiveness. The China Strategy Initiative, integrated into broader studies, assesses Beijing's geopolitical maneuvers, including trade coercion and military expansion, through scenario-based modeling. Specialized programs like the Global Health initiative evaluate international responses to pandemics and access to treatments, noting progress in HIV/AIDS efforts via multilateral funding but persistent gaps in equitable distribution. The Climate Realism Initiative promotes data-driven approaches to emissions reduction, critiquing overly ambitious targets in favor of technological innovation and cost-benefit analyses of policies like subsidies enacted under the Biden administration. These initiatives collectively aim to equip decision-makers with evidence-based options, though their influence depends on alignment with shifting administrations' priorities.

Policy Influence and Impact

Integration into US Government Roles

Numerous members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) have held senior positions in the US executive branch, particularly in departments overseeing foreign affairs, defense, and national security, facilitating a flow of personnel and ideas between the organization and government. This integration dates to the mid-20th century, with CFR members comprising a substantial portion of key appointees; for instance, Secretaries of State from Christian Herter (1959–1961) through John Kerry (2013–2017), including Dean Rusk, Henry Kissinger, Cyrus Vance, George Shultz, James Baker III, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and Hillary Clinton, were all CFR members prior to or during their tenure. Similarly, Defense Secretaries such as Robert McNamara (1961–1968), Clark Clifford (1968–1969), Melvin Laird (1969–1973), Elliot Richardson (1973), James Schlesinger (1973–1975), Donald Rumsfeld (1975–1977 and 2001–2006), and others maintained CFR affiliations. In the realm of intelligence, multiple Directors of Central Intelligence or CIA Directors have been CFR members, including (1977–1981), William Webster (1987–1991), (1991–1993 and 2006–2011 as Defense Secretary), R. James Woolsey (1993–1995), John Deutch (1995–1996), and (1997–2004). This pattern extends to advisory roles, where CFR expertise informs executive decision-making; , a CFR member since 1921, exemplified early integration as (1953–1959), drawing on the organization's networks developed post-World War I. Recent administrations reflect continued overlap. In the Biden administration (2021–2025), , Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, National Security Advisor , CIA Director William Burns, and others held CFR membership, underscoring the organization's role in staffing top foreign policy posts. Lloyd Austin's inclusion on the CFR roster, for example, highlights active participation by sitting officials. Such appointments often build on prior CFR involvement, like fellowships or task forces, enabling direct translation of the organization's policy studies into governmental action. This personnel interchange operates as a , with officials transitioning between CFR leadership, advisory positions, and government service to maintain policy continuity across administrations. Former presidents including , , and joined CFR post-presidency, while figures like Leslie Gelb moved from Assistant Secretary of State to CFR president. This dynamic has supported bipartisan frameworks, though it raises questions about the concentration of elite networks in executive roles, as evidenced by the predominance of CFR-affiliated appointees in cabinets since the .

Shaping Foreign Policy Debates

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) influences foreign policy debates primarily through its flagship publication, , which has served since as a forum for in-depth analysis of international affairs, , and U.S. policy options, attracting contributions from policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to frame key issues. The magazine's articles often anticipate or respond to emerging global challenges, such as U.S.- relations or interference, thereby setting the intellectual agenda for subsequent discussions in academia, government, and media. CFR's Independent reports further shape debates by assembling bipartisan panels of experts to evaluate critical areas, benchmarking recommendations against current U.S. administration positions to highlight alignments or divergences. For instance, the 2019 on Innovation and emphasized maintaining U.S. technological amid great-power , influencing congressional hearings and executive strategies on R&D investment. Similarly, reports like "Foreign Influence and Democratic Governance" (2023) propose frameworks for countering illicit foreign meddling, prompting dialogues on resilience in democratic institutions. Through events such as webinars, high-level briefings, and forums, CFR convenes stakeholders—including former advisors and faith leaders—to dissect pressing issues like policy or dynamics, fostering cross-ideological exchanges that ripple into public and discourse. These activities, often amplified via digital platforms and media briefings, have historically elevated topics like preventive priorities in conflict zones, as seen in annual surveys organizing global risks into tiers for . While CFR positions its outputs as nonpartisan, the concentration of participants underscores its role in channeling perspectives into broader debates, occasionally critiqued for prioritizing over unilateral alternatives.

Global and International Dimensions

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) extends its policy influence beyond U.S. borders primarily through collaborative networks and research on transnational issues, rather than direct membership of foreign nationals, as its bylaws restrict full membership to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A key mechanism is the Council of Councils, an initiative established by CFR in 2012 that links 28 think tanks from nations and other strategic regions, including institutions like the Istituto Affari Internazionali in and the South African Institute of International Affairs. This network convenes annual global conferences, regional meetings, and produces Global Memos on topics such as reform amid geopolitical realignments, aiming to identify shared threats, promote innovative policy remedies, and inject expert input into international discourse. CFR's specialized programs further amplify this reach by generating evidence-based analyses on global challenges, such as preventive action against conflicts, dynamics, and pandemic preparedness via the Global Health Program. These efforts inform multilateral institutions and foreign governments indirectly, as CFR fellows engage in dialogues with international counterparts on issues like defense, , and . For instance, workshops under the Council of Councils have addressed migration's strategic implications and U.S. engagement abroad, fostering cross-border consensus without formal policymaking authority. While CFR's publications, including Foreign Affairs, circulate analyses that shape elite opinion globally, its international dimensions are constrained by a U.S.-centric structure, with influence accruing mainly through the projection of American perspectives onto worldwide arenas. Critics, including assessments of its role in democratic reports, note that this can prioritize interventionist or globalist frameworks, potentially marginalizing non-Western viewpoints despite collaborative facades. Empirical evaluations, however, credit CFR's networks with facilitating pragmatic exchanges, as evidenced by sustained participation from diverse institutes since the Council of Councils' inception.

Reception and Debates

Recognized Contributions

The Council on Foreign Relations has been recognized for its longstanding role in producing high-impact publications that advance foreign policy analysis, particularly through , a bimonthly journal launched in that provides in-depth examinations of international affairs and . The journal has repeatedly topped rankings as the most influential media outlet among U.S. opinion leaders, according to national surveys, due to its rigorous, fact-based contributions to debates on topics ranging from U.S. to global security. Over its century of operation, the organization has also authored or supported nearly 450 books on foreign policy themes, some earning prestigious accolades for their scholarly depth. Through its Studies Program, including the David Rockefeller Studies Program, CFR has generated policy-relevant reports and independent task forces that synthesize expert input on pressing issues such as , , and international governance, positioning the organization as a key source of nonpartisan perspectives amid evolving global challenges. These efforts include targeted analyses like the 2024 Council Special Report on countering foreign influence in democratic systems, which draws on empirical assessments to recommend strengthening domestic institutions. CFR's convening power has further amplified these outputs by hosting forums, conferences, and working groups that facilitate direct exchanges among policymakers, academics, and business leaders, fostering informed dialogue on U.S. global engagement. In and , CFR has awarded over two dozen fellowships annually to scholars and practitioners, enabling on priorities and contributing to a pipeline of informed experts who influence public and . Initiatives like the Council of Councils, a multilateral network of think tanks, extend CFR's analytical framework globally, promoting collaborative studies on transnational threats such as climate policy and . These activities, grounded in data-driven and expert convenings, have established CFR as a foundational institution for elevating empirical discourse on since its founding in 1921.

Criticisms of Elitism and Interventionism

Critics have long accused the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) of embodying through its selective membership practices and insular processes. Membership, capped at around 5,000 individuals, requires nomination and approval by existing members, drawing primarily from high-level executives in and corporations, senior officials, and academics from elite institutions such as universities. This structure, according to historian Laurence H. Shoup in his analysis of the CFR's operations from 1976 onward, reinforces a self-perpetuating network of economic and political elites who prioritize corporate interests over diverse or public perspectives, effectively sidelining non-establishment voices in discourse. Shoup further contends that heavy corporate funding, including from firms, shapes the organization's agenda to align with neoliberal priorities, fostering an environment where policy recommendations reflect the worldview of a narrow, affluent stratum rather than broader societal needs. The CFR's operational opacity exacerbates perceptions of elitist detachment. Many meetings operate under rules, which prohibit attributing statements to specific speakers, ostensibly to encourage candid debate but criticized for enabling unaccountable influence on policy without public scrutiny or transparency. Sociologist highlighted the CFR as a key node in the "power elite's" apparatus, where such closed-door deliberations allow a small cadre—often disconnected from mass opinion—to forge consensus on global engagement that diverges from isolationist or restraint-oriented public sentiments. For instance, surveys have documented persistent gaps between CFR elite views favoring international and public preferences for reduced overseas commitments, as noted in analyses of opinion divides. Regarding interventionism, detractors argue that the CFR consistently promotes an activist U.S. favoring military, economic, and diplomatic interventions to uphold global , often at the expense of national and fiscal prudence. Shoup describes the CFR as a instrumental in advancing an "empire of neoliberal geopolitics," where task forces and publications have endorsed strategies involving , NATO expansion, and market-opening operations in regions like the and to secure U.S. corporate access to resources and influence. This orientation, critics maintain, contributed to support for post-Cold War interventions, such as the 2003 invasion, where numerous CFR members held advisory or administrative roles in the administration, shaping rationales for preemptive action despite subsequent acknowledgments within CFR circles of its flawed execution and high costs—over 4,400 U.S. military deaths and trillions in expenditures by 2023 estimates. Such patterns, per Shoup's documentation of over 40 years of CFR studies, reflect a causal of elite-driven globalism, where interventions serve to counter perceived threats to the rather than adhering strictly to vital national interests or constitutional war powers. Conservative and libertarian observers, echoing Vietnam-era critiques, have similarly faulted the CFR for elitist advocacy of perpetual engagement that erodes domestic priorities and invites blowback, as evidenced by the organization's historical alignment with and Wilsonian doctrines extended into modern conflicts.

Allegations of Undue Influence and Bias

The Council on Foreign Relations has faced allegations of exerting undue influence on U.S. through its extensive network of members who occupy high-level positions, creating what critics describe as a pipeline for policy alignment. For instance, in the Biden administration inaugurated in January 2021, numerous cabinet and sub-cabinet roles were filled by CFR members, including , National Security Advisor , , and CIA Director William Burns, among at least 20 individuals in senior posts. This pattern extends historically, with prior administrations such as those of and also featuring disproportionate CFR representation in roles like (e.g., and ) and National Security Advisor, leading detractors to argue that the organization's invitation-only —limited to around 5,000 prominent figures from , media, and academia—functions as an filter prioritizing insider perspectives over broader democratic input. Critics, particularly from conservative and populist circles, contend that this enables the CFR to embed its internationalist worldview into executive , bypassing electoral and constituting undue sway by a non-elected body. During the Trump administration (2017–2021), fewer CFR affiliates held top posts, which some observers attributed to deliberate distancing from the organization, with former President Trump reportedly viewing the CFR as emblematic of a resistant "" . Empirical assessments, however, note that while CFR alumni indeed permeate administrations across parties—reflecting the organization's role as a premier forum rather than coordinated control—such overlaps can amplify on issues like commitments and , as evidenced by CFR study groups' historical input into wartime planning, such as the 1940s War and Peace Studies that informed U.S. postwar strategy. These claims are often advanced by sources skeptical of elite institutions, though lacking direct proof of illicit coordination. Allegations of institutional center on the CFR's purported favoritism toward globalist and interventionist policies, allegedly reinforced by its structure and editorial output. The receives substantial support from corporate donors (e.g., Chevron, ) and foundations like the and Carnegie endowments, which critics argue incentivizes alignment with multinational corporate interests over national sovereignty concerns, such as in advocating for agreements or expansion. , the CFR's flagship journal, has been rated as having slight left-center editorial positions despite balanced reporting, potentially reflecting a pro-establishment tilt that downplays isolationist or unilateral alternatives. In , the CFR drew for accepting a $12 million donation from billionaire , whose ties to raised questions about foreign influence, though the maintained it adhered to transparency standards. Such dynamics, combined with the membership's overrepresentation of and elites, fuel charges of socioeconomic that privileges cosmopolitan agendas, as articulated in analyses portraying the CFR as a hub for neoliberal . Counterarguments emphasize the CFR's nonpartisan and empirical contributions to , but detractors from outlets like —known for Marxist critiques—highlight how these elements sustain a consensus resistant to populist disruptions.

Conspiracy Narratives and Empirical Assessments

Conspiracy theories frequently depict the (CFR) as a clandestine organization orchestrating U.S. to advance a globalist agenda, including the establishment of a supranational or "New World Order." Proponents argue that CFR's membership, drawn from , media, and , enables covert coordination with entities like the Bilderberg Group and to erode national sovereignty and promote perpetual interventionism. These claims gained traction in works such as James Perloff's The Shadows of Power (), which traces CFR's origins to financiers and alleges it functions as a "" directing American . Similar narratives, often from populist right-wing perspectives, portray CFR as a "globalist cabal" funding policies that prioritize international institutions over domestic interests, citing historical funding from figures like the . Empirical examination reveals CFR as a transparent, nonpartisan founded in , with a mission to generate policy ideas through open publications like Foreign Affairs, expert convenings, and membership discussions on foreign affairs. Its membership roster is accessible online, encompassing approximately 5,000 individuals and 200 corporate affiliates, including academics, business leaders, and former officials, with annual reports detailing activities and finances. While CFR have held prominent roles—such as seven U.S. presidents, 37 secretaries of state, and 22 secretaries of defense—these placements reflect elite networking and expertise recruitment rather than secretive directives, as government appointments undergo public vetting and policy emerges from elected processes. Quantitative analyses of policy-planning networks confirm CFR's role in shaping elite consensus on issues like postwar internationalism, but attribute influence to idea dissemination and personnel pipelines, not hidden control. No verifiable evidence supports allegations of CFR exerting clandestine over U.S. ; declassified documents and scholarly reviews highlight overt , such as through task forces and , rather than covert manipulation. Conspiratorial framings often conflate legitimate critiques of CFR's establishment bias—evident in its overrepresentation of corporate and interventionist viewpoints—with unsubstantiated plots, ignoring internal debates and the think tank's limited direct sway during periods like isolationist era. This bias, rooted in funding from financial elites and alignment with global trade interests, warrants scrutiny for potentially sidelining populist or restraint-oriented perspectives, yet it manifests as ideological influence, not a coordinated cabal. Empirical studies on formation emphasize broader factors, including and , which dilute claims of singular CFR dominance.

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