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.)

according to the terms of the cease-fire and hostage release agreement with Hamas. As C.I.A. director, William J. Burns was deeply focused on China and Russia when the Middle East conflict plunged ...

A warning on D.E.I.: The Trump administration on Wednesday threatened tens of thousands of federal employees with “adverse consequences” if they fail to report on colleagues who defy orders to purge diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from their agencies. Read more ›

After prolonged negotiations mediated by representatives from both the Biden and Trump administrations, a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hamas. The truce involves the release of hostages by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners by Israel,

Police are investigating a student protest held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Monday (Jan 13). The protest was organised by the group Students for Palestine Singapore to "mourn ...

Israel and Hamas agreed on the first draft of a ceasefire deal on Wednesday (January 15, 2025), signalling the biggest step yet toward an end to the conflict. Among other things, the 60-day ...

Hamas said on Friday that obstacles that arose in relation to the terms of the Gaza ceasefire agreement have been resolved, according to a statement issued by the group. From the Israel side, the ...

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas took hold on Sunday, and is expected to usher in a period of at least six weeks of paused fighting. The deal is now in phase one, which should see ...

More than a year after Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023 – killing around 1,200 people and taking another 250 captive – around 85 hostages remain, although Israel believes around a third are dead. A ceasefire deal currently in place ...

This undated photo provided by Hostages Family Forum shows Agam Berger, who was abducted and brought to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. (Hostages Family Forum via AP)