Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) was born from a recognition that as the United States emerged as a world power following World War I, it needed a dedicated forum for understanding international affairs. The organization was established by a small group of business and civic leaders who saw the need for continuous conference on international questions affecting the United States. They brought together experts on statecraft, finance, industry, education, and science to create an institution that would inform America's foreign policy choices.
Today, CFR stands as a leading nonpartisan, independent think tank and membership organization headquartered in New York and Washington, DC. Its mission remains focused on informing U.S. engagement with the world through policy-relevant analysis, expert convening, and public discussion. CFR publishes the influential Foreign Affairs magazine, houses the David Rockefeller Studies Program with more than eighty fellows, and hosts over one hundred events annually where senior government officials, global leaders, and business executives discuss pressing global challenges. For over a century, CFR has maintained its founding principles of independence, nonpartisanship, and expertise, making it a vital resource for policymakers, business executives, journalists, educators, and citizens seeking to understand the complexities of international relations.
