New director of the CIA, William Burns, is the first diplomat to be nominated for this position throughout the agency’s 73 year history. In the past, directors of the CIA have previously worked in Congress, the military, or in a previous position within the CIA. Burns is a foreign service officer and veteran State Department diplomat who has worked as deputy secretary, ambassador for Moscow and Jordan, and for the National Security Council. He has previously worked under both Republican and Democratic administrations and has previously worked with Biden himself.
Many found this choice surprising, as the CIA has a history of secretive operations in which diplomacy would not be relevant. Mr. Burn’s previous experience was working with already known information, now he will be responsible for producing intelligence. As director, he must focus on intelligence and creating a prognosis.
President Joe Biden’s nomination choice sets the foundation for the image and tone of how he wants the CIA to function under his administration. By nominating a diplomat, he signals a desire to once again intwerine diplomacy as a part of national power and security. Biden’s choice also represents a turning point within the CIA. In the past, Burns has been vocal in his belief that American diplomacy has been damaged under the Trump administration. In a statement released by Biden, he says that Burns shares his “profound belief that intelligence must be apolitical”. His nomination implies a reinvigoration of a separation between intelligence and politics.
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