About CFR

Since the establishment of the Council on Foreign Relations in 1921, the organization remains true to its founding principles to “afford a continuous conference on international questions affecting the United States, by bringing together experts on statecraft, finance, industry, education, and science.” Explore CFR history, growth, and impact over its first century through interactive multimedia, a short documentary, an informative book, and digital highlights from the think tank, Foreign Affairs, and other signature programs.

The Council on Foreign Relations is first and foremost a membership organization whose individual and corporate members represent a group unmatched in accomplishment. Based throughout the country and around the world, CFR members are exposed to top talent and expertise brought together to generate intellectual conversation regarding the most relevant topics in foreign policy and international relations.

CFR is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is representative of American society as a whole. CFR advances this goal throughout its work and workplace by building a diverse membership and staff, as well as through outreach activities to various academic and religious institutions, hosting events on relevant topics, and collaborating with other organizations working toward the same mission.

The 2025 Annual Report of the Council on Foreign Relations is available online.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries.

Published by the Council on Foreign Relations since 1922, just a year after the organization’s founding, Foreign Affairs has long been America’s leading forum for serious discussion of foreign policy and international affairs.