Research
- +8
William J. Burns, Michael Chertoff, Catherine Ashton, …
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Source: Getty
In The Media
A Conversation With Ambassador William Burns
Ambassador William Burns, president of the Carnegie Endowment, discusses his diplomatic career and the issues currently impacting today’s world.
Published on Mar 2, 2015
Source: NPR’s Diane Rehm Show
The late American diplomat Richard Holbrooke once said diplomacy was like jazz – “a constant improvisation on a theme.” It’s something Ambassador William J. Burns would know. He spent 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, playing the role of negotiator in many of the crises of our time. He was ambassador to Russia and Jordan, and he rose to become Deputy Secretary of State, only the second serving career diplomat elevated to that role. He retired from the Foreign Service recently to run the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Host Tom Gjelten speaks with Ambassador William Burns on his lengthy career and current issues facing today's world.
This broadcast originally appeared on NPR’s The Diane Rehm Show.
About the Author
William J. Burns
Former Career Diplomat
A former career diplomat, William J. Burns served as director of the CIA, deputy secretary of State, and ambassador to Russia and Jordan. Burns was also president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2015 to 2021.
- Reimagining Transatlantic Relations
- A New U.S. Foreign Policy for the Post-Pandemic LandscapeCommentary
William J. Burns
Recent Work
Political ReformSecurityDemocracyForeign PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesMiddle EastNorth AfricaEast AsiaRussiaEastern EuropeEgyptGulfLevantMaghreb
Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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