About CFR
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is one of the most influential foreign policy organizations in the United States. Founded in 1921, it has shaped American foreign policy through its publications, meetings, and close ties to government officials and corporate leaders.
Founded
1921
Location
New York, NY
Key Publication
Foreign Affairs
Focus Areas
Foreign Policy, International Relations, Global Affairs
Current Role & Operations
Government Relations & Policy Development
- Operates as a direct pipeline between the private sector and government, with members regularly appointed to senior positions
- Provides direct consultation to State Department and Pentagon on critical policy matters, giving detailed analysis and recommendations
- Task forces produce detailed policy blueprints on issues like U.S.-China relations and cybersecurity
Media & Public Influence
- Controls foreign policy discourse through Foreign Affairs magazine, reaching over 300,000 influential readers globally
- Members frequently appear as "independent experts" across major news outlets, shaping public opinion
- Hosts over 150 high-profile events for journalists, policymakers, and business leaders annually, setting the agenda for foreign policy discussions
- Produces influential policy papers and reports that shape mainstream media coverage and are used by government officials to inform policy decisions
History & Influence
Founded shortly after World War I in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) began as a small gathering of academics, diplomats, and businessmen concerned about America's role in a rapidly changing world. Over the next century, this modest club would evolve into one of the nation's most influential foreign policy organizations.
Key Milestones
- 1922: Launch of Foreign Affairs journal
- 1947: Publication of "The Sources of Soviet Conduct"
- 1993: Establishment of the International Affairs Fellowship
- 2001: Creation of the Center for Preventive Action
Intellectual Influence
At the center of CFR's intellectual influence is its renowned journal, Foreign Affairs. The publication has gained a reputation for setting the terms of policy debate, offering a prestigious platform to leading voices in international relations. Its pages have not only anticipated key decisions but, in some cases, directly influenced pivotal moments in history.
Controversies & Criticism
Notable Controversies
- Vietnam and Korean Wars: The CFR was the intellectual home of containment theory architects such as George Kennan and McGeorge Bundy. These men would later go on to shape America's involvement in global conflicts as a necessary step in a greater ideological struggle, directly leading to both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
- Iraq War (2003): Many prominent CFR members and scholars supported the invasion of Iraq, publishing articles and speaking in favor of military intervention. Top officials in the Bush administration, including Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, were also members of the CFR. After the war, the CFR immediately reversed its position, calling for a more diplomatic approach to Iraq.
Corporate & Defense Funding
- Major Donors: BlackRock, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and more are members of the CFR's Corporate Program. Each such membership represents tens of thousands of dollars in annual support to CFR. Between 2019 and 2023, the CFR received at least $2.1 million in donations from "Pentagon contractors".
- Amounts: McKinsey, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Deloitte have given over 200,000 USD in the last few years. Palantir & Booz Allen Hamilton have given over 100,000 USD. Numerous other defense contractors have given between 10,000 and 100,000 USD.
- Challenges: While the CFR publicly denies the influence of defense contractors on its research. The organization is undoubtedly subtly influenced by the milions of dollars it has been recieving from these groups. This becomes apparent when one examines the CFR's support for most modern military engagements and tendancy to align with the government's stance on foreign policy.
Key Criticisms
- Pro-establishment bias: The CFR promotes interventionist and corporate-aligned foreign policy. The CFR provides intellectual credibility to the government's stance on foreign policy, and is often used as a sounding board for government officials while maintaining the illusion of independence.
- Revolving door: The CFR is a common place for former government officials to return to after their time in office. At the CFR, they continue to work on the same issues they were working on in government, often with the same detrimental views that left America indebted, gutted, and swamped in the quagmires that were Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Vietnam, and Korea.
Board of Directors
Meet the power players shaping global policy at CFR
David M. Rubenstein
Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations
Co-Founder, The Carlyle Group
Leads private equity giant profiting from defense contracts while directing CFR's agenda as Chairman.
💰 Private Equity & Defense Investigate →Blair Effron
Vice Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations
Co-Founder, Centerview Partners
Investment banker connecting defense contractors with capital while steering CFR as Vice Chairman.
🏦 Defense Banking Investigate →Jami Miscik
Vice Chair, Council on Foreign Relations
Former President, Kissinger Associates
Ex-CIA deputy director leveraging intelligence connections while guiding CFR as Vice Chair.
🕵️ Intelligence Pipeline Investigate →Stephen J. Hadley
Chair, International Advisory Board, CFR
Former National Security Advisor
Ex-Bush security chief leading CFR's international influence while advising defense firms.
🌐 Security Policy Investigate →James P. Gorman
Co-Chair, International Advisory Board, CFR
CEO, Morgan Stanley
Wall Street chief shaping global finance while co-leading CFR's international strategy.
🏦 Global Finance Investigate →William H. McRaven
Former Commander, US Special Operations
Ex-military commander advising defense contractors while shaping security policy through CFR.
⚔️ Military Leadership Investigate →Justin Muzinich
Former Deputy Secretary, US Treasury
Ex-Treasury official directing private investments while influencing financial policy through CFR.
💱 Financial Policy Investigate →Janet Napolitano
Former Secretary, Homeland Security
Ex-DHS chief guiding tech companies while shaping security policy through CFR position.
🛡️ Security Policy Investigate →Meghan O'Sullivan
Professor, Harvard Kennedy School
Former Iraq advisor shaping energy policy while directing international affairs through CFR.
🛢️ Energy Policy Investigate →James D. Taiclet
CEO, Lockheed Martin
Directs world's largest defense contractor while shaping military policy through CFR influence.
🎯 Military Industry Investigate →Ruth Porat
CFO, Alphabet/Google
Oversees tech giant's military contracts and surveillance programs while directing CFR policy.
🔍 Tech Surveillance Investigate →Frances F. Townsend
EVP, Activision Blizzard
Former Bush security advisor turned gaming executive, maintaining surveillance state influence at CFR.
🕵️ Security State Investigate →L. Rafael Reif
President Emeritus, MIT
Expanded military research partnerships at MIT while shaping tech policy through CFR position.
🎓 Military Academia Investigate →Fareed Zakaria
Host, CNN GPS
Shapes public opinion through media while simultaneously crafting policy agenda at CFR.
📺 Media Control Investigate →Deven J. Parekh
Managing Director, Insight Partners
Controls investments in defense tech companies while influencing security policy through CFR.
💰 Defense Tech Investigate →Charles Phillips
Co-Founder, Recognize
Ex-Oracle president who integrated military software while maintaining defense influence at CFR.
💻 Military Tech Investigate →Richard L. Plepler
CEO, Eden Productions
Former HBO chief crafting media narratives while shaping cultural policy through CFR position.
🎬 Media Influence Investigate →Mariko Silver
CEO, Lincoln Center
Ex-DHS official wielding cultural influence while maintaining security connections through CFR.
🎭 Cultural Power Investigate →Tracey T. Travis
CFO, Estée Lauder
Corporate finance executive focused on consumer goods sector with limited policy influence at CFR.
💄 Corporate Finance Investigate →Laurene Powell Jobs
Founder and President, Emerson Collective
Tech investor and media owner shaping public discourse while directing policy through CFR.
📱 Tech & Media Power Investigate →James Manyika
Senior Vice President, Google/Alphabet
AI research leader guiding tech policy while influencing global affairs through CFR.
🤖 AI & Tech Policy Investigate →Charles Kaye
CEO, Warburg Pincus
Private equity chief investing in defense tech while shaping international policy at CFR.
💰 Global Investment Investigate →William Hurd
Former CIA Officer & Congressman
Ex-intelligence officer turned tech executive influencing cybersecurity policy through CFR.
🔒 Cyber Intelligence Investigate →Peggy Hamburg
Former FDA Commissioner
Ex-FDA chief connecting pharma industry with policy while guiding health initiatives at CFR.
💊 Health Policy Investigate →Stephen Freidheim
Founder, Cyrus Capital Partners
Hedge fund manager investing in defense sectors while shaping financial policy through CFR.
💰 Defense Finance Investigate →Jane Fraser
CEO, Citigroup
Global banking chief influencing international finance while directing policy at CFR.
🏦 Banking Power Investigate →Michele Flournoy
Co-Founder, WestExec Advisors
Ex-Pentagon official connecting defense contractors with government while shaping CFR policy.
🎯 Defense Pipeline Investigate →Cesar Conde
Chairman, NBCUniversal News Group
Media executive controlling news narratives while influencing global policy through CFR.
📺 News Control Investigate →Tony Coles
CEO, Cerevel Therapeutics
Biotech executive steering health policy while influencing pharmaceutical interests at CFR.
💊 Pharma Power Investigate →Kenneth Chenault
Chairman, General Catalyst
Ex-AmEx CEO directing tech investments while shaping financial policy through CFR.
💳 Fintech Power Investigate →Sylvia Mathews Burwell
President, American University
Former HHS Secretary influencing health policy while directing education strategy at CFR.
🎓 Health & Education Investigate →Margaret Brennan
Moderator, Face the Nation
CBS anchor shaping foreign policy coverage while influencing media narratives through CFR.
📺 Media Influence Investigate →Nicholas Beim
Partner, Venrock
Venture capitalist funding defense tech while steering innovation policy at CFR.
💰 Defense Tech VC Investigate →Afsaneh Beschloss
CEO, RockCreek
Investment firm chief directing climate tech funding while shaping environmental policy at CFR.
🌍 Climate Finance Investigate →Michael Froman
President, Council on Foreign Relations
Former trade representative leading CFR while maintaining corporate advisory influence.
🌐 Trade Policy Investigate →Jamie Dimon
CEO, JPMorgan Chase
Banking titan influencing global finance while shaping economic policy through CFR.
🏦 Banking Power Investigate →