Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
A US foreign-policy think tank and membership body; its Center for Preventive Action runs an annual expert survey ranking conflict risks to US interests.
At a glance
- Entity level
- Organisation
- Type
- Non-profit or think tank
- Also known as
- CFR
- Flagship output
- Conflicts to Watch (Preventive Priorities Survey) (latest: Conflicts to Watch in 2026 (18th PPS), 18 December 2025)
- Category
- Systemic & global risk reports
- Also covers
- Geopolitical & political risk
- Tier
- Tier 1: Think tank whose annual Preventive Priorities Survey is a widely cited conflict-risk ranking
- Headquarters
- New York, United States
- Coverage
- Global conflict risk and US national security
- Public access
- Free
- Latest activity seen
- 18 Dec 2025
- Evidence
- Verified
How it produces intelligence
Annual Preventive Priorities Survey: public input on scenarios, then experts rate likelihood and US impact of 30 conflict scenarios.
Risk themes
Focus regions
Leadership
- Natalie Caloca, Assistant Director, Wachenheim Center for Peace and Security (PPS co-author)
- Molly Carlough, Program Coordinator, Center for Preventive Action (PPS co-author)
Links
What it publishes
| Output | Type | Cadence | Latest edition | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conflicts to Watch (Preventive Priorities Survey) | Survey | Annual | Conflicts to Watch in 2026 (18th PPS) | 18 Dec 2025 | Read report |
Latest findings
Recent public risk calls by Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), summarised in our own words. They are its views, not 311's. Follow each source for the original.
Top-tier 2026 risks: West Bank escalation, renewed Gaza fighting, intensified Russia, Ukraine war, US strikes in Venezuela and rising US political violence.
18 Dec 2025 · Horizon: next 12 months · Source: Five takeaways from CFR's 2026 conflict risk assessmentExperts rated 28 of 30 scenarios at least 50% likely within a year, a notably anxious outlook; a China, Taiwan crisis was among high-likelihood, high-impact cases.
18 Dec 2025 · Horizon: next 12 months · Source: Five takeaways from CFR's 2026 conflict risk assessmentA record number of Latin American scenarios were included, with Venezuela the leading concern in the Western Hemisphere.
18 Dec 2025 · Horizon: 2026 · Source: Five takeaways from CFR's 2026 conflict risk assessmentExperts doubted that peace deals pursued by the Trump administration in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the DRC and India, Pakistan will hold.
18 Dec 2025 · Horizon: 2026 · Source: Five takeaways from CFR's 2026 conflict risk assessment
Organisations doing similar work
Questions about Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
What is Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)?
A US foreign-policy think tank and membership body; its Center for Preventive Action runs an annual expert survey ranking conflict risks to US interests.
How does Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) produce its intelligence?
Annual Preventive Priorities Survey: public input on scenarios, then experts rate likelihood and US impact of 30 conflict scenarios.
Where is Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) based?
Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is based in New York, United States.
What does Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) cover?
Its work covers conflict & security, geopolitics, social unrest, with a focus on Global, North America, Latin America, Middle East & North Africa, Russia & Eurasia, East Asia.
Profile compiled by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit from public sources. Last checked 21 Oct 2026. Listing is not a ranking or an endorsement. Evidence source. Is this your organisation? Request a correction.