The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a think tank which describes itself as "dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. The Council accomplishes this mainly by promoting constructive, closed debates and discussions, clarifying world issues, and publishing Foreign Affairs."
It began in 1921 and is one of the most powerful private organizations with influence on U.S. foreign policy. It has about 4,000 members, including former national security officers, professors, former CIA members, elected politicians, and media figures. It is a co-sponsor of the Task Force on the Future of North America.
Though the council is not a formal institution within US policy making, there are several conspiracy theories surrounding the CFR, most recently inspired by the council's involvement in planning the 2003 invasion of Iraq [1].
Board of Directors
Executive
Officers
- Peter G. Peterson, Chairman of the Board
- Carla Anderson Hills, Vice Chairman of the Board
- William J. McDonough , Vice Chairman of the Board
- Leslie H. Gelb , President
- Michael P. Peters , Executive Vice President, CEO, and Director of Studies
- David Kellogg , Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, and Publisher
- Janice L. Murray , Senior Vice President and Treasurer
- Irina Faskianos , Vice President, National and Outreach Programs
- Elise Carlson Lewis , Vice President, Membership and Fellowship Affairs
- Abraham Lowenthal , Vice President
- Anne R. Luzzatto , Vice President, Meetings
- Robert C. Orr , Vice President; Director, Washington Program
- Lisa Shields , Vice President, Communications
- Lilita Gusts , Secretary of the Corporation
Current Directors
Directors Emeriti
- Charles McC. Mathias, Jr.
- Robert A. Scalapino
Other well-known members
External links