Bilderberg Group

A subject of much speculation, the Bilderberg Group is one of the more secret forums for high-level interaction by key business and political insiders from the principal nations of Europe and the United States. Formed in 1954 under the auspices of Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, who hosted the first meeting at the Hôtel de Bilderberg near Arnhem, the group over time has served to promote collaboration between the European Union and the United States, including support for the North Atlantic Treaty alliance (NATO). Although claiming to have no formal charter, organization, or Web page, it has a chairman and a steering committee.

The Bilderberg conferences feature about 100 eminent financiers, corporate heads, government officials, media owners, intellectuals, and other political movers. The 4-day meetings are ...