A World Transformed and the Role of Intelligence delivered by CIA Director Bill Burns

On Saturday 1 July CIA Director Bill Burns delivered the 59th Ditchley Annual Lecture, on the topic of "A World Transformed and the Role of Intelligence".

Director Burns described the current period as another "plastic moment," a world far more crowded, complicated, and contested than the post-Cold War era of uncontested American primacy. The new global landscape is defined by three major features: strategic competition from an ambitious China and a disruptive Russia; problems without passports, such as the growing climate crisis and global pandemics; and a profound revolution in technology that is transforming how humanity lives, works, fights, and competes. The most immediate geopolitical challenge is Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has been a strategic failure for Russia and exposed its weaknesses. However, the greatest long-term geopolitical and intelligence challenge is China, the only country with the intent and growing power to reshape the international order. The response to this transformed world requires transforming the role of intelligence, focusing on priorities like the competition with Russia and China, harnessing emerging technologies, investing in personnel, and deepening intelligence partnerships. This approach includes creating a new mission centre solely focused on China, transforming espionage tradecraft, leveraging artificial intelligence, and strengthening alliances like the vital Anglo-American partnership. The speaker emphasised that the Transatlantic Alliance, and the particular significance of the Anglo-American partnership, remains a bedrock for navigating this volatile future.