Informing the United States‘ Engagement With the World

CFR serves as a think tank, educator, and publisher of trusted foreign policy content, including the internationally recognized Foreign Affairs. Our programs convene experts and policymakers, produce rigorous research and analysis, and promote a place for independent voices to challenge assumptions and explore novel ideas. From symposiums and roundtables to webinars and podcasts, we foster informed impact at global scale.

CFR is truly a national organization, with a plurality of its membership based outside of New York and Washington, DC. The National Program provides a forum for these members across the country and around the world to discuss pressing foreign policy issues and contribute to CFR’s research.

CFR is a membership organization representing leaders in government, economics, health, defense, human rights, and much more. With over 5,000 individual and corporate members, our collective spans geographies, sectors, and perspectives. CFR members benefit from unprecedented expertise and talent within the organization and exposure to practitioners at the forefront of foreign policy and international relations.

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.”

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.