Towing the line between diplomat and intelligence agent, Burns's trips to the region are shrouded under a cloak of mystery.

As C.I.A. director, William J. Burns was deeply focused on China and Russia when the Middle East conflict plunged him back into his old life.

While the United States tries to spy on one of the hardest targets, Burns has also tried to reopen a dialogue with Beijing, including via his counterpart, Chen Yixin, the security minister. (The head of the China Mission Center, a career CIA officer fluent in Mandarin, accompanied Burns on one of his trips to Beijing.)

No one would ever refer to CIA Director William J. Burns as “Wild Bill,” the nickname of William J. Donovan, who led the OSS, the agency’s swashbuckling predecessor, during World War II. But the self-effacing Burns has bravely commanded a CIA force in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.

In a wide-ranging exit interview, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks Central Intelligence Agency director William Burns about the resurgence of ISIS, and what's next for the intel community.

In a wide-ranging exit interview, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly asks Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns about Russia, a potential ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, and the resurgence of ...

Their dealmaking cooperation represents an unusual moment in the polarized world of U.S. politics. But it did not stop both Trump and Biden from touting their respective roles.

Dayton, has been ousted from his position as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

White House officials on Monday expressed cautious optimism that a deal to pause 15 months of grinding war in the Gaza Strip and secure the release of Israeli and other foreign hostages held by Hamas could be struck in the final week of President Joe Biden’s term in office.

All hell will break out” in the Middle East, Donald Trump said, if the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity in Gaza are not released by his inauguration.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Saturday afternoon with President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, in what was described as a “surprise visit” to discuss the multilateral negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Saturday afternoon with President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, in what was described as a “surprise visit” to discuss the multilateral negotiations with Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.