New book "The Back Channel" reveals warnings about Russia

• The first is a sharp exchange Burns, then U.S. ambassador to Russia, had with Putin ahead of Russia’s 2007 national elections. Putin threatened: "Outside interference in our elections will not be tolerated ... don’t think we won’t react."
• The second, revealed in a newly declassified email from Burns in February 2008, warned the U.S. against offering a path to NATO membership to Ukraine and Georgia. The "prospects of subsequent Russian-Georgian armed conflict would be high," Burns, wrote, adding that it would "provide fertile soil for Russian meddling in Crimea and eastern Ukraine."

Both fears were realized.

• Tomorrow, to coincide with the publication of "The Back Channel," the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace will post an archive of nearly 100 newly declassified cables, memos, and emails from Burns' 33-year career.