The Council on Foreign Relations sponsors a Task Force when an issue of critical importance to U.S. foreign policy emerges, and when it is judged that a diverse and bipartisan group of experts will be able to reach a meaningful consensus on the effectiveness of current policy and what if any changes to existing policy are warranted. Once formed, a Task Force is independent. It normally conducts its deliberations in private over the course of several months and issues a report containing both findings and policy recommendations. The Council, a national, nonpartisan membership organization, takes no institutional position on policy issues.