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The [http://www.cfr.org/ '''Council on Foreign Relations'''] (CFR) stated mission [http://www.cfr.org/ states] that it is: "The Council on Foreign Relations is 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 debates and discussions, clarifying world issues, and publishing ''[[Foreign Affairs Magazine|Foreign Affairs]]''."

In a September 2005 makeover of its website, the Council proclaims proclaimed itself to be "A Nonpartisan Resource for Information and Analysis"(sic), "to be the first-stop, nonpartisan resource on U.S. foreign policy and America’s role in the world", according to [http://www.cfr.org/publication/8832/council_launches_new_website.html the press release].

The membership of the CFR dates back to 1921includes past Presidents, Ambassadors, Secretaries of State, Wall Street investors, international bankers, foundation executives, [[think tank]] executives, [[lobbyist]] lawyers, [[NATO]] and in 1996 published its history[[Pentagon]] military leaders, wealthy industrialists, [[media]] owners and executives, university presidents and key professors, select Congressmen, [[Supreme Court]] Justices, Federal Judges, wealthy entrepreneurs, and as many as ten [[9-11 Commission]] Members. [http://www.cfrgeocities.orgcom/aboutCapitolHill/grosse00a2807/SPEciaL.php available on its websitehtml][http://100777.com/doc/734]

The membership of the CFR includes past Presidents, Ambassadors, Secretaries of State, Wall Street investorsDue perhaps more to its origins, international bankersassociations, foundation executives, [[think tank]] executives, lobbyist lawyers, [[NATO]] and [[Pentagon]] military leaders, wealthy industrialistshistory, [[media]] owners than to its current composition and executives, university presidents and key professors, select Congressmenactivities, the CFR does have a reputation as one of the "triumvirate of elite organizations" together with the [[Supreme CourtBilderberg]] Justices, Federal Judges, wealthy entrepreneurs, and as many as ten the [[9-11 Trilateral Commission]] Members. Elitism doesn't necessarily preclude the ability to provide unbiased and useful service however. [http://www.geocitiesconspiracyarchive.com/CapitolHill/2807/SPEciaL.html] [http:/NWO/100777Council_Foreign_Relations.com/doc/734htm]

Due perhaps more to its origins, associations, and history, than to its current composition and activities, the CFR does have a reputation as one of the "triumvirate of elite organizations" together with the [[Bilderberg]], and the [[Trilateral CommissionCarroll Quigley]]. Elitism doesn't necessarily preclude the ability to provide unbiased and useful service however.[http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/NWO/Council_Foreign_Relations.htm] Carroll Quigley, Professor of History at Georgetown University, stated, "The Council of 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."[http://www.maxexchange.com/ybj/chapter13.htm]

They hold regular private meetings including members, and very select guests. Occasionally they will hold a public meeting, and invite the open press (including [[C-SPAN]]). The image of the CFR as a closed-shop bi-partisan discussion forum for the foreign policy establishment has fuelled criticism that the organisation and its members are controlling world policy and events.

The CFR and its members commonly feature prominently in conspiracy-oriented writings, such as those of anti-establishment conservatives[[conservative]]s, such as [[Lyndon LaRouche]] and [[Pat Robertson]], as central advocates of the 'new world order'.

By way of example, James W. Wardner [http://www.bankindex.com/read.asp?ID=1119][http://www.khouse.org/misslerreport/prophetic/19970203-134.html], claims he "exposes the [[evil ]] forces behind the '[[New World Order]]' and reveals the unholy alliances that are bringing about The Planned Destruction of America." [http://www.radioliberty.com/bplanned.htm]

In these writings the CFR is linked to other groups - such as the [[Trilateral Commission]], the [[Illuminati]] [http://www.cephasministry.com/history_of_masonry_6.html], the [[Skull and Bones]] Society, and the [[Bilderberg]] - and portrayed as between them seeking to impose the 'new world order'. [http://www.jeremiahproject.com/prophecy/nworder03.html]

== Recent News CFR Reports & Publications==*William FisherNicholas Lehman, "[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00328.htm Hope For Improving U.S. Communications With The Muslim World?],How It Came To War" writes in ''ScoopThe New Yorker'' (New Zealand), May 26March 31, 2005. A [http://www.cfr.org/pub8109/press_release/better_communications_efforts_can_significantly_improve_americas_image_in_the_muslim_world_says_new_council_special_report.php CFR report] titled "A New Beginning: Strategies for a More Fruitful Dialogue with the Muslim World" suggests the U.S. try "listening more2003, a humbler tone, and focusing on bilateral aid and partnership, while tolerating disagreement on controversial policy issues" when trying to relate to Muslim nations. The report, based on [[Focus group|focus groups]] that in Morocco, Egypt and Indonesia, found that focus group members "do not take seriously an interview with [[Iraqi Media Network|U.S. government mediaRichard Haass]], such as Director of the Policy Planning staff at the [[Radio SawaState Department]], [[Al Hurra|al-Hurra TV]], and Hi magazine, as information sources." Specific recommendations include engaging "local and regional media via press releases, interviews, Op-Eds, press conferences, and site visits," and launching "an [[Shared Values|advertising campaign]] he learned that Haass would be leaving the State Department to take the position of President of the Council on U.S. aid and support for reform Foreign Relations in local and regional media, and acknowledge the UNew York.SThe position is currently held by Leslie H. government as the sourceGelb."

*Scott Sherman, [http://www.thenationcfr.comorg/docprintpublication.mhtmlphp?iid=20041227&s=sherman 5849 "Senior Statesmen Henry Kissinger's Shadow Over the and Lawrence Summers Chair New Council Task Force on Foreign RelationsU.S. Policy Toward Europe,"]April 14, 2003: Former Secretary of State [[Henry A. Kissinger]] and former Secretary of the Treasury [[Lawrence H. Summers]] will "co-chair a Council-sponsored [[independent task force]] on a new U.S. policy toward Europe. The Nationbi-partisan task force will bring together leaders from business, Dec. 27former senior government officials, 2004 (print edition), Dec. 6, 2004 (electronic version). Article describes the attempts by Kissinger and policy experts to censor articles in issue a CFR's publication, ''Foreign Affairs''report that will address the rift. It reveals some The group will also include a number of the internal politics, European experts ... The Council-sponsored [[Task Force on Transatlantic Relations]] is made possible by generous grants from ENI SpA and the relationship between the operatorsMerrill Lynch."

*[http://www.cfr.org/publication.php?id=6639 8 January 2004], 6076 "U.S. Should Provide Iraqis and Americans With a Commission of the Center More Coherent and Compelling Vision for Preventive Action releases report 'Iraq''Andes 2020: A New Strategy for the Challenges of Colombia and the Regions Political Future.''' :*The central finding of which is stated as "Over ] Experts Urge President to Deliver Major Address to the past two decades the United States has spent billions Nation on Importance of dollars and significant manpower in Getting the Andes region to stem the flow of illegal drugs; assist local security forces Job Done Right in Post-War Iraq... the [[war on drugs|fight against drugs, terror and insurgencyGeorge Walker Bush]]; administration must sharpen and promote free markets, human rights, deepen its commitment to making Iraq a better and democracy. Yet the democracies of the Andean region-Colombiasafer place, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and conclude former UN Ambassador [[BoliviaThomas R. Pickering]]--are still at risk, and the prospect of regional collapse is real former Defense and poses a serious threat to U.S. lives and interests.":*Energy Secretary [[http://wwwJames R.cfr.org/pdf/Andes2020.pdf link to .PDF version of the reportSchlesinger]]:*The Commission attempts to redress what it considers to be a major weakness of current U.S. policy as embodied in Plan Colombia and the Andean Counter-drug Initiative: an overly narrow focus on counternarcotics and security issues, and the relative absence of complementary, comprehensive, regionally-oriented strategies. :*The Commission puts forth three objectives to rectify current policy. Determined action on these three strategic objectives will, over time, accomplish sustainable progress toward political, economic, and security goals that a policy focused mainly on supplyco-side counterdrug efforts cannot achieve.::*I. The need to more equitably distribute political and economic resources and power in each country, with a commitment to strategic rural land reform.::*II. The importance of greater participation by the international community on a range chairs of diplomatic, political, economic, social, security, and humanitarian issues.::*III. The recognition that regional problems require regional approaches and that greater cooperation among the Andean countries is essential. *[http://www.cfr.org/publication.php?id=6086 29 June 2003]: "New Council-sponsored Independent Task Force on Emergency Responders, a bluepost-ribbon panel of Nobel laureateswar Iraq, U.S. military leaders" June 25, former high-level government officials, and other senior experts, led by former Senator [[Warren Bruce Rudman]] and advised by former White House terrorism and cyber-security chief [[Richard A2003. Clarke]]."

*[http://www.cfr.org/publication.php?id=6076 25 June 20036639 Commission of the Center for Preventive Action releases report]: "UAndes 2020: A New Strategy for the Challenges of Colombia and the Region," January 8, 2004.S. Should Provide Iraqis :*The central finding of which is stated as "Over the past two decades the United States has spent billions of dollars and Americans With a More Coherent and Compelling Vision for Iraq's Political Future. Experts Urge President to Deliver Major Address significant manpower in the Andes region to stem the Nation on Importance flow of Getting the Job Done Right illegal drugs; assist local security forces in Post-War Iraq... the [[George Walker Bushwar on drugs|fight against drugs, terror and insurgency]] administration must sharpen ; and deepen its commitment to making Iraq a better promote free markets, human rights, and safer placedemocracy. Yet the democracies of the Andean region-Colombia, conclude former UN Ambassador Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and [[Thomas R. PickeringBolivia]] --are still at risk, and former Defense the prospect of regional collapse is real and poses a serious threat to U.S. lives and Energy Secretary interests.":*[[James Rhttp://www.cfr.org/pdf/Andes2020.pdf link to . Schlesinger]PDF version of the report]:*The Commission attempts to redress what it considers to be a major weakness of current U.S. policy as embodied in Plan Colombia and the Andean Counter-drug Initiative: an overly narrow focus on counternarcotics and security issues, and the relative absence of complementary, comprehensive, regionally-oriented strategies. :*The Commission puts forth three objectives to rectify current policy. Determined action on these three strategic objectives will, over time, accomplish sustainable progress toward political, economic, coand security goals that a policy focused mainly on supply-chairs side counterdrug efforts cannot achieve.::*I. The need to more equitably distribute political and economic resources and power in each country, with a commitment to strategic rural land reform.::*II. The importance of greater participation by the Council-sponsored Independent Task Force international community on post-war Iraqa range of diplomatic, political, economic, social, security, and humanitarian issues.::*III. The recognition that regional problems require regional approaches and that greater cooperation among the Andean countries is essential."

*Scott Sherman, [http://www.cfrthenation.orgcom/publicationdocprint.phpmhtml?idi=5849 14 April 2003]: "Senior Statesmen [[Henry 20041227&s=sherman Kissinger]] and Lawrence Summers Chair New 's Shadow Over the Council Task Force on U.S. Policy Toward Europe." Former Secretary of State Henry AForeign Relations], ''The Nation'', December 27, 2004 (print edition), December 6, 2004 (electronic version). Article describes the attempts by Kissinger and former Secretary of the Treasury [[Lawrence H. Summers]] will "co-chair to censor articles in a Council-sponsored 'CFR's publication, '[[independent task force]]'Foreign Affairs'' on a new U.S. policy toward Europe. The bi-partisan task force will bring together leaders from business, former senior government officialsIt reveals some of the internal politics, and policy experts to issue a report that will address the rift. The group will also include a number of European experts ... The Council-sponsored [[Task Force on Transatlantic Relations]] is made possible by generous grants from ENI SpA and Merrill Lynchrelationship between the operators."

*31 MarWilliam Fisher, "[http://www. 2003: Nicholas Lehmanscoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00328.htm Hope For Improving U.S. Communications With The Muslim World?], "How It Came To War" writes in ''The New YorkerScoop'' that in an interview (New Zealand), May 26, 2005. A [http://www.cfr.org/pub8109/press_release/better_communications_efforts_can_significantly_improve_americas_image_in_the_muslim_world_says_new_council_special_report.php CFR report] titled "A New Beginning: Strategies for a More Fruitful Dialogue with the Muslim World" suggests the U.S. try "listening more, a humbler tone, and focusing on bilateral aid and partnership, while tolerating disagreement on controversial policy issues" when trying to relate to Muslim nations. The report, based on [[Richard HaassFocus group|focus groups]]in Morocco, Director of the Policy Planning staff at the State DepartmentEgypt and Indonesia, he learned found that Haass would be leaving the State Department to focus group members "do not take the position of President of the Council seriously [[Iraqi Media Network|U.S. government media]], such as [[Radio Sawa]], [[Al Hurra|al-Hurra TV]], and Hi magazine, as information sources." Specific recommendations include engaging "local and regional media via press releases, interviews, Op-Eds, press conferences, and site visits," and launching "an [[Shared Values|advertising campaign]] on Foreign Relations U.S. aid and support for reform in New Yorklocal and regional media, and acknowledge the U. The position is currently held by Leslie HS. Gelbgovernment as the source."

=== Officers (as at of April 2004) === 

*[http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Foreign_Policy_Institutions/Council_Foreign_Relations.html "Bush, Kerry, CFR and The Ruling Class,"]''Third World Traveler''.