William J. Burns
William J. Burns (William Joseph Burns) was born on April 11th, 1956 and is currently 70 years old. William J. Burns was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA. Burns attended La Salle University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and St John's College, Oxford where he received an MPhil and a DPhil.
William J. Burns is an American diplomat who served as the 8th Director of the CIA during President Joe Biden’s administration, holding the position from March 19, 2021, to January 20, 2025. Before that, he was the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014 and briefly served as Acting Secretary of State in 2009, just prior to Hillary Clinton’s confirmation.
Burns retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2014 after 32 years of service. Following his retirement, he became president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a role he held from 2014 until 2021.
Throughout his distinguished career, Burns held several key diplomatic roles. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Jordan (1998–2001), Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (2001–2005), U.S. Ambassador to Russia (2005–2008), and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2008–2011).
In January 2021, President Biden nominated Burns to head the CIA. The Senate confirmed him by voice vote on March 18, and he officially assumed the role the next day. On March 23, Vice President Kamala Harris administered a ceremonial swearing-in. In July 2023, President Biden elevated him to the Cabinet—largely a symbolic gesture, but one that emphasized Burns’s role and influence.
The Back Channel is a memoir by Ambassador Bill Burns, widely considered one of the most respected American diplomats of his generation. Retiring in 2014 after a 33-year career, Burns held senior positions under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
His rise in the diplomatic ranks began in 2001, when he became Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Over the years, he advanced to become Deputy Secretary of State, the second-highest position in the department. His memoir is especially valuable for readers interested in how U.S. foreign policy evolved through critical decades.
Roughly two-thirds of the book focuses on the second half of his career, spanning major world events such as the 9/11 attacks, the Iraq War, and the Iran nuclear deal. Burns writes with clarity and insight, sharing his firsthand experiences and measured reflections on pivotal moments in American diplomacy.
Just months after assuming a leadership role in 2001, the 9/11 attacks occurred. That same day, Burns drafted a memo urging a careful and collaborative response with U.S. allies in Europe and the Middle East. The Bush administration, however, did not follow that advice. Over the following 18 months, Burns worked behind the scenes to caution against going to war in Iraq. He co-authored a memo titled The Perfect Storm, outlining the many reasons an invasion would be a mistake. Unfortunately, his concerns were ignored.
Under President Obama, Burns felt more aligned with the administration’s cautious, diplomatic approach. He supported Obama’s efforts to negotiate with Iran, which eventually led to the 2015 nuclear agreement. He also praised the decision to green-light the mission that resulted in Osama bin Laden’s death.
Still, Burns acknowledges the limitations of Obama’s style. For instance, he believes U.S. responses to the Arab Spring—especially in Egypt and Syria—were inadequate. He views Syria, in particular, as a foreign policy failure.
In contrast, Burns considers the 2003 Iraq invasion a much more consequential blunder—one that harmed both American credibility and the Middle East’s stability. He regrets not pushing harder to oppose the war and uses this reflection to explore the difficult decisions public servants often face.
A recurring theme in
The Back Channel is Burns’s concern that diplomacy is being sidelined in favor of military solutions. He criticizes the growing trend of the White House centralizing foreign policy decisions, and laments that long-term strategy is being replaced by short-term political gains.
While many diplomats spend most of their careers overseas, Burns spent considerable time in Washington, navigating transitions across administrations. Though he avoids sensationalism, he does offer praise for figures like James Baker, Colin Powell, and John Kerry—leaders he views as principled and capable.
Although Burns maintains a measured tone throughout, he does not shy away from meaningful criticism. He calls the Iraq War a turning point in America's decline on the world stage. His assessment of Donald Trump’s presidency is blunt—he describes it as self-centered, reckless, and lacking vision.
The book concludes with Burns’s vision for rebuilding American diplomacy. He urges a reinvestment in the State Department and a greater focus on global challenges like climate change, technology, and economic competition. He hopes to inspire a new generation of diplomats guided by humility, strategic thinking, and a commitment to global cooperation over personal ego or short-term wins.
Related Authors
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- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
- Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
- Charles Dickens, author of: A Christmas Carol.
- Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone Series.
William J. Burns: F.A.Q
When was William J. Burns Born? How old is William J. Burns?
William J. Burns was born on April 11th, 1956. William J. Burns is currently 70 years old.
Where was William J. Burns Born?
William J. Burns was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA and is American.
What was the first book William J. Burns wrote?
The first book written by William J. Burns was Economic Aid and the American Policy Toward Egypt, 1955-1981, published in 1985.
What was the most recent book William J. Burns wrote?
His most recently released work was The Back Channel on March 12th, 2019.
Are there upcoming new books by William J. Burns?
William J. Burns does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
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How many books has William J. Burns written?
William J. Burns has written 2 books. All of his books are William J. Burns Non-Fiction Books.