Former CIA Director William J. Burns will participate in a discussion on America's role in the world, hosted by the Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST) at the University of Chicago. The event is scheduled for April 16 at the David Rubenstein Forum and will feature a conversation between Burns and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Burns, who concluded his tenure as CIA Director on January 20, will provide insights into American national security challenges and U.S. foreign policy issues. The discussion is part of the annual Hagel lecture series, aimed at fostering civic engagement in important discussions. It will be moderated by Professor Robert Pape, director of CPOST.
“There is an amazing overlap between his experience at the highest levels in foreign policy, international security affairs for our government, and also the issues we are most concerned about,” Pape stated regarding Burns' participation. “He is incredibly well positioned to help us understand what's occurring, which, at this point in time, is incredibly valuable.”
Burns' extensive career includes roles such as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2014 and president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace from 2014 to 2021. He served as ambassador to Jordan and Russia and held several key positions within the State Department. His accolades include three Presidential Distinguished Service Awards and top civilian honors from both the Pentagon and U.S. Intelligence Community.
Professor Pape highlighted Burns' recent interactions with foreign leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin as offering unique insights into global leadership dynamics: “We've never seen an administration come in and make so many fundamental changes—to our relationships with our allies, with our enemies, with the different ongoing conflicts and fights and wars that we’re involved in—as the Trump administration has already made in its first three weeks in office,” Pape remarked.
The event will be available virtually and is open to the public free of charge; registration is currently open.
Previous speakers in this lecture series have included Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 2019, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul in 2023, and Former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson earlier this year.