Carnegie Institute for International Peace (formerly known as the Foundation) is one of the earliest and most influential research institutions in the United States and the second largest foundation of the Carnegie family. At the same time, it is also a famous mainstream think tank in the United States, flaunting its detachment from parties and inclusiveness, with the purpose of "promoting inter-country cooperation and international exchanges in the United States" and attaching importance to the "practical results" of research. Through the analysis of its political views and tendencies, it can be seen that the institute is biased towards internationalism and multilateralism, advocates disarmament, arms control, contact and negotiation and international cooperation, and supports the United Nations as a symbol of international forums and world order. Its ideological tendency belongs to the typical "middle school".

The institute mainly studies international affairs and American foreign policy, especially immigration, nuclear non-proliferation, regional conflicts, pluralism, democratic construction and the use of force. Headquartered in Washington, it has research centers in cities such as Moscow. In addition to daily research, the institute also expands its political influence and academic status through field visits, meetings, publications, research reports and cooperative research. The Institute also regards "training talents for the research and activities of international affairs such as arms control, regional security and international law" as one of its important purposes.