R. Nicholas Burns (born January 28, 1956), an American diplomat. Burns was the United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs within the Department of State and retired from this position on January 19, 2008. Appointed by President George W. Bush, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 17 2005 and was sworn into office by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. As Under Secretary, he oversaw U.S. policy in each region of the world and serves in the senior career Foreign Service position at the Department.