No one would ever refer to CIA Director William J. Burns as “Wild Bill,” the nickname of William J. Donovan, who led the OSS, the agency’s swashbuckling predecessor, during World War II. But the self-effacing Burns has bravely commanded a CIA force in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.

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.)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William J. Burns, Jr., 87, of Batavia. Bill passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, surrounded by his family at The Friendly ...

WASHINGTON—A U.S. push to reach a prisoner-swap deal with the Taliban is in danger of collapsing over President Biden’s insistence that the trade include an American who disappeared in ...

On August 15, 2021 when Kabul fell to the Afghan Taliban without a single shot fired, an India diplomat posted in Islamabad admitted "Pakistan has defeated us". "Give credit where it is due," said ...

Malala Yousafzai has urged Muslim leaders to challenge the Taliban government in Afghanistan and its repressive policies for girls and women. "Simply put, the Taliban in Afghanistan do not see ...

Speaking at an international conference on girls’ education in Muslim nations, hosted by Pakistan in Islamabad, the activist said the Taliban’s actions “go against everything our faith ...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the deal, which was approved by the security cabinet earlier Friday and is expected to get sign off from the full cabinet, could go into effect as ...

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai urged Muslim leaders on Sunday not to legitimise the Afghan Taliban government and to "show true leadership" over their assault on women's rights.