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William J. Burns (diplomat)

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Article Genealogy
Parent: CIA Hop 3
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1. Extracted66
2. After dedup23 (None)
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William J. Burns (diplomat)
William J. Burns (diplomat)
source
NameWilliam J. Burns
CaptionOfficial portrait, 2021
OfficeDirector of the Central Intelligence Agency
PresidentJoe Biden
Term startMarch 19, 2021
PredecessorGina Haspel
Office1Deputy Secretary of State
President1Barack Obama
Term start1July 28, 2011
Term end1November 3, 2014
Predecessor1James B. Steinberg
Successor1Antony Blinken
Office2Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
President2Barack Obama
Term start2May 29, 2008
Term end2July 28, 2011
Predecessor2R. Nicholas Burns
Successor2Wendy Sherman
Birth date4 April 1956
Birth placeFort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
SpouseLisa Carty
Alma materLa Salle University (BA), St John's College, Oxford (MPhil, DPhil)
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Army
Serviceyears1978–1980
RankSecond Lieutenant

William J. Burns (diplomat) is an American diplomat and public servant who has served as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency since March 2021. Appointed by President Joe Biden, he is the first career diplomat to lead the CIA in its history. His extensive career in the State Department included senior roles such as Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, where he played a key part in shaping U.S. policy toward Russia, the Middle East, and Iran.

Early life and education

William Joseph Burns was born on April 4, 1956, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the son of an Army officer. He spent parts of his youth in Jordan and Egypt, sparking an early interest in international affairs. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from La Salle University in Philadelphia in 1978. As a Rhodes Scholar, he then attended St John's College, Oxford, where he received a Master of Philosophy and later a Doctor of Philosophy in international relations, focusing on Soviet politics. He also served as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve from 1978 to 1980.

Diplomatic career

Burns joined the United States Foreign Service in 1982. His early postings included tours at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and the State Department in Washington, D.C., where he worked on Soviet affairs. He served as Executive Secretary of the State Department and as Special Assistant to Secretaries of State Warren Christopher and Madeleine Albright. He was appointed United States Ambassador to Jordan in 1998, navigating complex regional diplomacy during the final years of King Hussein's reign. In 2001, he became Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, overseeing policy during the Iraq War and early phases of the Arab Spring. President George W. Bush appointed him United States Ambassador to Russia in 2005, a critical post during a period of rising tensions with the Kremlin. Under President Barack Obama, he served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the department's third-ranking official, and later as Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014, where he was a lead negotiator in the secret early talks with Iran that led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

President Joe Biden nominated Burns to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in January 2021, citing his deep diplomatic experience and analytical rigor. He was confirmed by the United States Senate in a unanimous vote and sworn in on March 19, 2021. As director, he has overseen the agency's analysis and operations during major global events, including the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, heightened competition with the People's Republic of China, and the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. He has emphasized the importance of integrating espionage with open-source intelligence and strengthening alliances with services like the British MI6 and Israeli Mossad.

Post-government career and writings

After retiring from the State Department in 2014, Burns served as president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based think tank. During this period, he authored the memoir *The Back Channel: A Memoir of American Diplomacy and the Case for Its Renewal*, published in 2019. The book details his role in pivotal negotiations with Iran, Russia, and other states and argues for the revitalization of U.S. diplomacy. He also frequently contributed commentary to outlets like *The Atlantic* and participated in advisory councils, including the American Academy of Diplomacy.

Personal life

Burns is married to Lisa Carty, who serves as the U.S. Ambassador to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. They have two daughters. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including two Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and the Secretary of State's Distinguished Service Award. Fluent in Russian and Arabic, his personal interests include history and running. Category:1956 births Category:American diplomats Category:Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency Category:La Salle University alumni Category:Living people Category:Rhodes Scholars Category:United States ambassadors to Jordan Category:United States ambassadors to Russia