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.)

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

It’s unclear exactly why the deal came together now, though President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Hamas that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released by ...

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 ...

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 ...

The first three hostages released from Gaza as part of a fragile ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday have arrived in Israel, the military ...

Israel and Hamas have agreed to stop the war for six ... President Joe Biden’s longtime Mideast adviser, CIA Director Bill Burns, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Biden’s national ...

Jan. 18 (UPI) --The first three hostages held by Hamas and some prisoners held captive by Israel are scheduled to be exchanged following the cessation of hostilities Sunday. The Israeli government ...