Bill Burns and the bear
The CIA director is at the heart of the administration’s capable Ukraine effort
EARLY LAST year Jordan’s security service uncovered a plot against the kingdom’s ruler, Abdullah, involving his half-brother, Saudi Arabia and some Bedouin tribes. William Burns, the CIA director and a former ambassador to Jordan, recognised the threat this represented to a crucial American ally. He hotfooted it to the White House to brief Joe Biden—“the first customer”, in CIA parlance—who immediately called King Abdullah to express his strong support. Once the crisis had passed, the Jordanian became the first Arab leader to visit Mr Biden.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Bill Burns and the bear”
United States April 9th 2022
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- Bill Burns and the bear
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