Overview
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is the most influential foreign policy think tank in the United States, and arguably the world. Founded in 1921, it has produced a remarkable number of Secretaries of State, CIA Directors, and other high officials who have shaped American policy for over a century.
The CFR operates through its journal Foreign Affairs, private meetings, task forces, and extensive networking among the American elite. While it presents itself as merely a discussion forum, critics argue it functions as a shadow government that sets the agenda for American foreign policy, regardless of which party holds office.
Membership is by invitation only and highly selective. The approximately 5,000 members represent the highest levels of government, finance, media, and academia. CFR policy papers and recommendations frequently become official government policy, often word for word.
"The Council on Foreign Relations is the American branch of a society which originated in England... [and] believes national boundaries should be obliterated and one-world rule established."
- Carroll Quigley, Georgetown Professor, Bill Clinton's mentor, in "Tragedy and Hope"
"The main purpose of the Council on Foreign Relations is promoting the disarmament of U.S. sovereignty and national independence, and submergence into an all-powerful one-world government."
- Rear Admiral Chester Ward, former CFR member (resigned)
Origins & Founding
The CFR emerged from the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, where American and British diplomats, bankers, and intellectuals discussed creating permanent organizations to shape post-war policy.
The Founders
Edward M. House
"Colonel" House - Wilson's Shadow
President Wilson's closest advisor. Mastermind behind the Federal Reserve Act and League of Nations. The power behind the throne who ran foreign policy.
Paul Warburg
Federal Reserve Architect
German-born banker from the Warburg dynasty. Designed the Federal Reserve System. Connected to Rothschild banking network.
J.P. Morgan Partners
Financing & Organization
Morgan banking interests provided significant funding and organizational support. Thomas Lamont was particularly influential.
John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Primary Funder
Rockefeller money built the CFR headquarters in New York. The family has dominated CFR leadership for generations.
British Connection
The CFR was designed as the American counterpart to the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London. Both emerged from the same Paris meeting and maintain close ties. Cecil Rhodes' vision of Anglo-American world dominance influenced both organizations.
Government Influence
The CFR's penetration of the U.S. government is so complete that critics call it the "invisible government" or "deep state" headquarters.
Secretaries of State (Partial List)
- John Foster Dulles (1953-1959) - CFR member
- Dean Rusk (1961-1969) - CFR president before appointment
- Henry Kissinger (1973-1977) - CFR director
- Cyrus Vance (1977-1980) - CFR member
- George Shultz (1982-1989) - CFR member
- James Baker (1989-1992) - CFR member
- Warren Christopher (1993-1997) - CFR member
- Madeleine Albright (1997-2001) - CFR director
- Colin Powell (2001-2005) - CFR member
- Condoleezza Rice (2005-2009) - CFR member
- Hillary Clinton (2009-2013) - CFR member
Other Key Positions
- Multiple CIA Directors (Allen Dulles, George H.W. Bush, etc.)
- Federal Reserve Chairmen
- National Security Advisors
- Treasury Secretaries
- Defense Secretaries
- Ambassadors to key nations
"I've been pleased to address the Council on Foreign Relations, as Secretary of State, and I'm delighted to be back... I was often at the CFR when I was Secretary of State. It's good to have an outpost of the Council right here [in Washington], because it means I won't have as far to go to be told what we should be doing."
- Hillary Clinton, 2009
Media Control
The CFR's influence extends deeply into American media, ensuring favorable coverage and suppression of criticism.
Media Members (Historical & Current)
- New York Times: Multiple editors and senior journalists
- Washington Post: Katherine Graham was a member; current leadership connected
- Wall Street Journal: Senior editors and writers
- CBS, NBC, ABC: Presidents and key anchors
- CNN: Multiple on-air personalities and executives
- PBS/NPR: Board members and program directors
- Time, Newsweek: Editors and owners
Operation Mockingbird Connection
The CIA's Operation Mockingbird (infiltration of media) overlapped significantly with CFR membership. Many journalists who were later revealed as CIA assets were also CFR members, suggesting coordinated control of information.
Manufactured Consent
When virtually all major media executives belong to the same organization, "independent" journalism becomes impossible. The CFR sets the parameters of acceptable debate, ensuring certain topics (like CFR influence itself) are never seriously discussed in mainstream media.
Policy Influence
CFR task forces and Foreign Affairs articles frequently become U.S. policy.
Documented Examples
- Marshall Plan: Designed by CFR members, published in Foreign Affairs before becoming policy
- NATO Creation: CFR study groups developed the framework
- Vietnam Policy: CFR members dominated decision-making throughout the war
- NAFTA: Promoted extensively by CFR before implementation
- Iraq War (2003): CFR members dominated the push for invasion
- China Trade Policy: CFR advocated for engagement that built China's economy
The CFR-to-Policy Pipeline
- CFR study group or task force produces report
- Report published in Foreign Affairs or as special publication
- CFR members in government cite report as "expert opinion"
- Policy implemented with CFR members overseeing execution
- Media (with CFR members) provides favorable coverage
"The Rockefellers and their allies have, for at least fifty years, been carefully following a plan to use their economic power to gain political control of first America, and then the rest of the world."
- Congressman Larry P. McDonald, 1976 (died in KAL 007 shootdown, 1983)
Globalist Agenda
The CFR has consistently promoted world government, reduced national sovereignty, and international institutions controlled by elites.
Key Initiatives
- United Nations: CFR members designed the UN charter; Alger Hiss (later exposed as Soviet spy) was a key architect
- World Bank/IMF: CFR involved in creation and ongoing control
- Free Trade Agreements: GATT, WTO, NAFTA, TPP all promoted by CFR
- North American Union: CFR task force proposed merging U.S., Canada, Mexico
- Climate Policy: CFR promotes international climate agreements that transfer sovereignty
Study: "Building a North American Community"
The 2005 CFR report explicitly called for:
- Common security perimeter around North America
- Unified border pass for U.S., Canada, Mexico
- Harmonized regulations and standards
- A North American Court of Justice
- Merged immigration and labor markets
Consistency Across Administrations
Whether Republican or Democrat, CFR members dominate foreign policy. This explains why U.S. policy remains remarkably consistent regardless of elections - the same people and institutions control the levers of power.