by virtue of its age and its special position under international humanitarian law, the icrc is the lead agency in the red cross movement, but it has weathered some power struggles within the movement. the icrc has come into conflict with the federation and certain national societies at various times. the american red cross threatened to supplant the icrc with its creation of the international federation of red cross and red crescent societies as "a real international red cross" after the first world war. elements of the swedish red cross desired to supplant the swiss authority of the icrc after wwii. over time the swedish sentiments subsided, and the ifrc grew to work more harmoniously with the icrc after years of organizational discord. currently, the ifrc's movement cooperation division organizes interaction and cooperation with the icrc.