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

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.)

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.

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.

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.

IDF announces four soldiers killed in northern Gaza • Hamas says Netanyahu has agreed to end the war •Hostage negotiations may conclude before Trump's inauguration | Page 2 of 2

House G.O.P. Floats Medicaid Cuts and More to Finance Trump’s Huge Agenda President Trump wants a massive tax cut and immigration crackdown bill. Republicans must decide what to cut to help pay ...

Amnesty International on Friday condemned a Russian court’s sentencing of three lawyers for aiding the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), calling the decision “shameful.” Amnesty International’s Eastern ...

CAIRO/TEL AVIV, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Hamas said on Monday it would next release hostages held in Gaza on Saturday, after an official with the Palestinian militant group had said they would be ...

A cease-fire agreement between Israel and terrorist group Hamas began Sunday with the release ... but it doesn’t happen without Donald J. Trump,” he said. “The president was responsible ...

Ceasefire suspends 15-month-old war Gaza residents return to devastated neighborhoods, assess damage Hamas and Israel exchange hostages and prisoners amid truce GAZA/CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Jan 19 ...

The terrorist group Hamas released three hostages from Gaza hours after a cease-fire deal with Israel took effect after a brief delay Sunday. Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Demari, 27, and Doron ...