Council on Foreign Relations
A nonpartisan American think tank publishing Foreign Affairs and convening elites, often accused of being part of a secret world government network.
INVESTIGATION OVERVIEW
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a nonpartisan American think tank founded in 1921 that publishes the journal Foreign Affairs and hosts off-the-record meetings with world leaders and policy experts. With approximately 5,000 members drawn from the highest levels of government, business, media, and academia, the CFR is one of Washington's most influential foreign policy institutions. Its membership has included nearly every Secretary of State, CIA Director, and National Security Advisor since World War II. While the CFR operates publicly and publishes its membership lists, the concentration of elite influence has made it a target of conspiracy theories claiming it constitutes a shadow government.
KEY CLAIMS
The CFR is a key component of a secret network controlling U.S. foreign policy
Membership provides a pipeline to the highest levels of government
The CFR's recommendations are consistently adopted as U.S. policy
The organization coordinates with the Bilderberg Group and Trilateral Commission
CFR membership is a prerequisite for high-level government appointments
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE
CFR members have indeed held nearly every senior foreign policy position in the U.S. government
The organization's off-the-record meetings shape elite consensus on policy issues
Membership lists include the highest levels of American power across sectors
Study group reports have directly influenced policy outcomes
The organization was founded by prominent bankers and internationalists with globalist vision
COUNTER ARGUMENTS
The CFR is an open membership organization that publishes its activities
Influence comes from expertise, not secrecy or conspiracy
Members hold a wide range of political views across the spectrum
Many of the same conspiracy theories about the CFR have existed for decades without substantiation
The CFR's actual influence is shared with many other think tanks and policy organizations
TIMELINE
CFR founded in New York City
Foreign Affairs journal first published
CFR members dominate post-war foreign policy planning
Continued influence; target of new world order theories
KEY FIGURES
David Rockefeller
CFR chairman and prominent member
Hamilton Fish Armstrong
CFR editor who shaped its direction
John J. McCloy
CFR member and 'Chairman of the Establishment'
ORGANIZATIONS
Council on Foreign Relations
Think Tank
Foreign Affairs
Journal
Trilateral Commission
Policy Group
SOURCES
RELATED ENTITIES
PEOPLE
David Rockefeller
Hamilton Fish Armstrong
John J. McCloy
ORGANIZATIONS
Council on Foreign Relations
Foreign Affairs
Trilateral Commission
EVENTS
CFR founded in New York City
1921
Foreign Affairs journal first published
1922
CFR members dominate post-war foreign policy planning
1940s-1950s
Continued influence; target of new world order theories
2000s–present