Le Cercle

Le Cercle was described in 2007 by the Washington Post as a "foreign policy think tank established during the Cold War that reportedly included senior politicians, diplomats and intelligence agents worldwide." It is secretive, but it includes European and American business and political leaders - supplemented by retired Ambassadors, former Generals and some lawyers. It is of especial interest to corporate leaders involved in banking, oil, shipping, publishing and trading companies.

It was formerly known as the Pinay Circle or the Cercle Pinay and it is similar to the Bilderberg conference group that meets annually in the USA. Members come from around the world to meet yearly in both Washington and various places in Europe.