COrganization

Council on Foreign Relations

Also known as CFR

New York think tank and membership organisation on US foreign policy, founded in 1921; publishes Foreign Affairs.

• The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan American membership organisation, think tank and publisher on US foreign policy, founded in 1921 and based in New York with an office in Washington, D.C.
• It has published the journal Foreign Affairs since 1922 and runs the David Rockefeller Studies Program, whose fellows advise administrations, testify before Congress and publish research.
• Michael Froman is its president.

Why it matters

• Its journal Foreign Affairs and its fellows are among the main voices in American foreign-policy debate.

Key facts

Founded

1921; grew out of a meeting of British and American diplomats and scholars at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference1

What it is

A nonpartisan, independent national membership organisation, think tank, educator and publisher2

Mission

"To inform U.S. engagement with the world"2

Based in

New York City, with an office in Washington, D.C.1

Publishes

Foreign Affairs, since 19221

Research

The David Rockefeller Studies Program1

President

Michael Froman, its 15th president, formerly vice chairman of Mastercard and US trade representative under Barack Obama3

31 Oct 2026Last checked against its sources today

Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us