CIA Director William Burns on 'Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan' | full interview

In an exclusive interview, CIA director William Burns told "Face the Nation" that his meeting three months ago with Russian spy chief Sergey Naryshkin was "pretty dispiriting." "There was a very defiant attitude on the part of Mr. Naryshkin as well. A sense of cockiness and hubris," Burns said.

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"Face the Nation" is America's premier Sunday morning public affairs program. The broadcast is one of the longest-running news programs in the history of television, having debuted November 7, 1954, on CBS. Every Sunday, "Face the Nation" moderator and CBS News senior foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan welcomes leaders, newsmakers, and experts to a lively round table discussion of current events and the latest news.

[tlelarsson]

Director Burns seems like a very good spychief. Calm, smart and articulate.

[alexpodell]

Great interview. Ms. Brennan is impressive and sharp. And America is very lucky to have William Burns.

[abalogh]

Director Burns is smart. Speaks fluent Russian, used to be the ambassador there and knows Russia and the Middle East back and forth. I think it’s awesome that we finally have a cia chief who doesn’t have a military background.

[stuartalanbecker]

Burns is unique in history as a CIA director: more humility, media friendly, not arrogant. Talks about the Russia and China issues very frankly. Hope Burns lasts a long time in that job and can "clean house" of whatever tendencies the population they serve may loathe.

[theycallmeGUN]

You had a once in a lifetime chance to interview a sitting CIA Director. Why not asking him about the memo he wrote in 2008? Could there be a more important question?

[stfkf]

KUDOS to Ms. Brennan for a very informative interview with a very important guest, which was based on intelligent questions!

[tualastancil]

President Biden is very fortunate to have this fine n intellectual diplomat to be Director of the C.I.A. always a joy listening to his interviews thankyou Mr Burns.

[hankfowler]

I feel very optimistic about the intelligence gathering of the US and NATO with Director Burns on our side. He is more than competent.

[brianwray]

Great interview! So glad Director Burns is over the CIA! Very professional!

[a-complished]

We finally have again grownups taking care of serious issues.

[DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

I have long believed Trump's 2020 loss played a big part. Putin expected HIS boots on the white house desk. He and Xi and others are still enabling Trump. Putin chose Ukraine as his next target. The personalities of these dominators in a time of internet and more is concerning. Thank you Director Burns.

[JP-pjzq]

Hats off to CIA Director Burns. Cool, calm, and collected.

[SamEbby]

0 seconds ago
Burns is the absolute best person to have in this position of head of CIA at this time. The guy is an expert on Russia and very clear eyed on Putin and his malicious intent

[mvheglm]

Wow, I'm impressed by Mr Burns. Where I come from (Europe) directors of intel mostly read from prepared statements that is of no meaning. This guy however, listens to the questions and give an informed answer (without giving away secrets, mind you). How refreshing!

[the-vinyl-dreamscape]

Now that is what a liar sounds like. Almost ever word is a dishonest manipulation.

[DarkSkay]

Outstanding journalist and guest. The precise informations and explanations are so valuable to better understand what is going on. Thank you very much!

[SamEbby]

Burns is the absolute best person to have in this position of head of CIA at this time. The guy is an expert on Russia and very clear eyed on Putin and his malicious intent

[thespeedracer]

What a breath of fresh air of class, intelligence and humility found serving a top post within American Governance/Intelligence infrastructure. Thank you, sir.

[dymone]

Wonderful interview. One of the clearest and cleanest question and answer sessions I've seen in ages. Where it fails is in limiting the time, which to be fair, is where most broadcast networks fail. As consumers, we would appreciate the experience of all the questions she has and what information he has to give us, the American people, in response.

[axelv]

Burns is quote right that puncturing hubris is essential. But not only Putin's. It is the majority culture of the entire population that needs this hubris punctured. Just like Japan and Germany had hubris based on ideas of ubermensch and such ideas, Russians in general have ideas of the russian state as an uberstate. So they need to be provided a stinging russian defeat in order to reset the culture from this agressive attitude.