Council on Foreign Relations

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[[File:CFR-Interlocks-2004.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The cabal that rules the world! *cue ''MGS'' theme*]]
The '''Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)''' is one of America's oldest and most influential [[think tank]]s, founded in 1921. Its focus is on, obviously, [[international relations|foreign relations]]. CFR is known for coining the term "[[containment]]" and helping to draw up the "blueprints" for [[NATO]] and the Marshall Plan. Despite being home to scores of policy big shots, the CFR's recommendations have often been [[willful ignorance|ignored]] by [[politician]]s. In the run-up to the [[Vietnam War]], for example, CFR characterized Ho Chi Minh's regime as more [[nationalist]] than [[Marxist]] and recommended [[diplomacy]] in favor of war.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060718110118/http://www.cfr.org/about/history/cfr/x_leads.html "X" Leads the Way], CFR</ref> Its former president, Richard Haass, was also a critic of the [[War in Iraq]].<ref>[http://wonkette.com/234771/council-on-foreign-relations-also-sick-of-iraq-occupation Council on Foreign Relations sick of Iraq occupation], Wonkette</ref><ref>[http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/06/12/the-council-on-foreign-relations-richard-haass-on-bushs-unjust-iraq-war-blunder The Council on Foreign Relations' Richard Haass on Bush's Unjust Iraq War Blunder], ''US News''</ref>
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==Conspiracy theories==
CFR is a staple target of [[conspiracy theories]], usually relating to the [[New World Order]], [[North American Union]], [[Illuminati]], [[Freemasonry]], and the [[international Jewish conspiracy]] (especially due to [[Henry Kissinger]]'s presence). Its name often comes up next to similar organizations with high-ranking officials as members that attract endless conspiracy theorizing, including the [[Bilderberg Group]] and the [[Trilateral Commission]]. The CFR notably became the subject of historian Carroll Quigley's more [[crackpot]] ideas, in which he alleged them to be part of a vast, secretive "Anglo-American elite" that ruled the world.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150413205301/http://www.scientiapress.com/carroll-quigley "Carroll Quigley: Theorist of Civilizations"]</ref> They were so secretive in fact, that Quigley was able to track their certainly 'large' effect on the world and history down to quite some detail.<ref>[http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/globalism/cfr.htm Records of quotes by Quigley in addition with extra crackpottery]</ref> CFR conspiracies are also peddled by the [[John Birch Society]].<ref>[http://www.publiceye.org/conspire/root_con.html Purveyors of the Conspiracist Worldview]</ref> The fact, as previously mentioned, that they've been ignored on multiple occasions concerning major diplomatic issues undermines their supposed all-powerful status somewhat. But then again, that's what they ''want'' you to think!

==External links==
*[http://www.cfr.org/ Council on Foreign Relations]
*[http://www.foreignaffairs.com/ ''Foreign Affairs''], their magazine
*CFR has issued [http://www.cfr.org/about/faqs.html FAQs addressing some of the conspiracy claims], but you wouldn't trust them to tell the truth, ''now would you?''

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{stub|Conspiracy theories}}

[[Category:International relations]] 
[[Category:Think tanks]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]

Categories: International relations, Think tanks, Conspiracy theories