description William Burns Overview
William J. Burns is an American career diplomat who served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2021 to 2025. During more than three decades in the United States Foreign Service, he was ambassador to Jordan and Russia, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, under secretary for political affairs, and deputy secretary of state. He also participated in the secret diplomatic channel that helped initiate negotiations leading to the Iran nuclear agreement.
help William Burns FAQ
When did William Burns serve as CIA director?
William J. Burns served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2021 to 2025. He was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate to lead the agency.
What countries was William Burns ambassador to?
During his Foreign Service career, Burns served as U.S. ambassador to Jordan and later as ambassador to Russia. These ambassadorships were part of his more than three decades in the United States Foreign Service.
Is William Burns a career diplomat or a political appointee?
Burns is a career diplomat with more than three decades in the United States Foreign Service. He also served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs and held other senior State Department positions before his CIA appointment.
What did William Burns do before becoming CIA director?
Before his appointment as CIA director in 2021, Burns served as president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a foreign policy think tank. His prior government career included ambassadorships to Jordan and Russia and senior leadership roles at the State Department.
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