David Rockefeller Studies Program

David Rockefeller Studies Program. It is the core research division of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), established in 2005 and named in honor of the organization's longtime chairman, David Rockefeller. The program serves as the institutional home for CFR's resident experts, directing the think tank's analytical work on pressing global issues. Its scholars produce influential policy research, brief government officials, and contribute to major public debates on foreign policy and international relations.

History and establishment

The program was formally launched in 2005 under the leadership of then-CFR President Richard N. Haass, succeeding the organization's earlier research divisions. Its creation consolidated and expanded the Council on Foreign Relations's in-house expertise, marking a strategic shift toward a more robust, resident scholar model. The initiative was named for David Rockefeller, who served as CFR's chairman for over fifteen years and was a pivotal figure in its modern development. This naming recognized his decades of leadership and philanthropy, which significantly shaped the institution's role in Washington, D.C. policy circles and global affairs. The establishment coincided with a period of complex challenges, including the war in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, and the rise of China, demanding sustained analytical focus.

Mission and focus areas

Its central mission is to provide authoritative analysis and policy prescriptions on critical international issues to inform policymakers, journalists, and the public. The program’s research agenda is nonpartisan and spans a wide array of geopolitical and transnational concerns. Primary focus areas include traditional statecraft, such as relations with Russia, China, and the Middle East, as well as contemporary challenges like cybersecurity, global health, climate change, and international economics. Scholars regularly assess the efficacy of institutions like the United Nations and NATO, while also examining the impact of technological innovation and demographic shifts on global stability. This work aims to bridge the gap between academic scholarship and the practical needs of decision-makers in the U.S. Department of State and The Pentagon.

Notable scholars and fellows

The program hosts a distinguished roster of senior fellows, adjunct fellows, and visiting scholars who are leading experts in their fields. Notable figures have included individuals like Max Boot, a historian and commentator on military affairs; Stephen Sestanovich, a former ambassador specializing in Russia and Eurasia; and Elizabeth C. Economy, a renowned authority on China's environmental and foreign policies. Other prominent analysts associated with the program have covered regions from Latin America to South Asia, and topics from nuclear proliferation to digital policy. These scholars often have prior high-level experience in the U.S. government, the Central Intelligence Agency, major universities, or influential media outlets, lending substantial credibility to their research and public commentary.

Publications and research output

Scholars produce a steady stream of influential publications, which serve as key resources for the foreign policy community. Flagship outputs include in-depth books, policy-focused Council Special Reports, and timely articles in journals like Foreign Affairs. The program’s experts also author widely-read digital content, including blogs on the CFR.org website and interactive briefs on conflicts like the Syrian civil war. Their research frequently informs testimony before the United States Congress, background briefings for officials at the White House, and programming for major media networks such as CNN and the BBC. This multifaceted output ensures the program's analyses reach a broad audience of practitioners, academics, and engaged citizens worldwide.

Relationship with the Council on Foreign Relations

It is the central intellectual engine of the Council on Foreign Relations, integral to fulfilling the parent organization's educational and advisory mandate. While the broader CFR membership includes leaders from business, law, and academia, the program provides the substantive research that underpins the council's meetings, task forces, and outreach initiatives. Its scholars regularly contribute to events at CFR's headquarters in New York City and its office in Washington, D.C., engaging with members and guests. The program’s work directly supports CFR's goal of fostering a deeper understanding of international relations and improving the quality of American foreign policy through informed discourse and rigorous, evidence-based analysis.

Category:Council on Foreign Relations