the current hour-long format and successfully addressing management concerns regarding the show's flagging ratings and declining quality (via e.g., Gemini Award nom. 1995, 1996, 1997). He also led several successful co-productions with other media organizations, including The New York Times and Frontline. Management Before returning to produce The National in 1993, Burman spent a year as managing director of CBC's all-news network, CBC Newsworld. Since his return to management in 1998, Burman served as head of CBC Newsworld until his retirement in 2007. Burman had also been in charge of all journalistic programming since February 2000. On June 19, 2007, he announced his retirement from the CBC after a 35-year career, effective July 13. Al Jazeera Burman's appointment as managing director of Al Jazeera English was announced on 14 May 2008. In this role for two years, he has returned to North America and presently serves as chief strategic advisor for the Americas. This new position is intended to "accelerate expansion in the North American market," following the successful launch of AJE in Canada. Service Burman has served on the boards of several charitable organizations. He also travels widely in support of public broadcasting, speaking at universities and conferences around the world (e.g., at [Concordia University], Osgoode Hall Law School, UBC Journalism School, and Jönköping University In November 2009, he delivered the annual Clissold Lecture at the University of Western Ontario. In 2010, he delivered the Minifie Lecture at the University of Regina and the keynote address at Media Democracy Day 2010. In 2011, he was the "headline" speaker at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, journalism ethics conference. Opinions and writings 2012 Statements On Canada-Israel Relations In an article published by the Toronto Star on September 7, 2012, Burman stated that the recent decision by the government of Stephen Harper to sever diplomatic relations with Iran was evidence that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is Canada's "new foreign minister". His day job may be prime minister of Israel, but Canada’s abrupt actions against Iran seem to confirm that the Harper government’s outsourcing of Canada’s Middle East policy to Jerusalem is now complete." He further stated that "There is little else to conclude from Canada’s unwise decision to move unilaterally on Iran at this moment" Burman wrote that the Canadian government has adopted a "passionate pro-Israeli stance" and "has gained the reputation throughout the Middle East of being a passionate warrior