In this episode of Coursen’s Corner, host Spencer Coursen sits down with legendary counterterrorism expert and former State Department special agent Fred Burton. Fred shares decades of first-hand experience on major investigations—from hunting the first World Trade Center bomber, to managing protective intelligence, to handling high-stakes hostage rescue operations.

The two dive deep into the evolution of counterterrorism, the dark realities of mental health in law enforcement, the influence of AI on modern security operations, and why protecting VIPs isn't just about tactics—it's about understanding the mind of the attacker.

Fred’s stories, including the behind-the-scenes manhunt for Ramzi Yousef and lessons learned from decades of service, offer invaluable insights for anyone passionate about national security, true crime, intelligence, and resilience.

Timestamps:

- [00:00:00 - 00:04:37] – Fred Burton’s early career beginnings in counterterrorism

- [00:04:37 - 00:09:15] – The reality of terrorism threats before 9/11

- [00:09:15 - 00:13:53] – How protective intelligence evolved in the 1980s and 90s

- [00:13:53 - 00:18:31] – Why predicting attacks is harder than stopping them

- [00:18:31 - 00:23:08] – Global security before digital surveillance and AI

- [00:23:08 - 00:27:46] – CIA hostage rescue attempts and real-world limitations

- [00:27:46 - 00:32:24] – Tracking down Ramzi Yousef: World Trade Center bomber manhunt

- [00:32:24 - 00:37:02] – Mistakes, lessons, and victories in early terrorism investigations

- [00:37:02 - 00:41:39] – Building a career in law enforcement and federal agencies today

- [00:41:39 - 00:46:17] – Intelligence without action: The biggest security blind spot

- [00:46:17 - 00:50:55] – Mental health damage from facing the worst of humanity

- [00:50:55 - 00:55:33] – Coping strategies for counterterrorism professionals

- [00:55:33 - 01:00:10] – The limits of therapy and institutional support for agents

- [01:00:10 - 01:04:48] – Why law enforcement often misses early threat indicators

- [01:04:48 - 01:09:26] – The psychology of target selection for terrorists and attackers

- [01:09:26 - 01:14:04] – Mass shooter profiles and protective intelligence gaps

- [01:14:04 - 01:18:41] – Crisis response tactics for public figure protection

- [01:18:41 - 01:23:19] – AI, misinformation, and the evolving national security threat

- [01:23:19 - 01:27:57] – How narratives shift: Government, media, and technology changes

- [01:27:57 - 01:32:35] – Fred Burton’s final reflections on resilience, purpose, and legacy

Links & Resources:

Podcast Guest Submission Form: https://www.spencercoursen.com/guest-submission-form-podcast

Follow Fred on Instagram: @officialfredburton

Connect With Fred: https://www.officialfredburton.com/

Follow Spencer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.coursen/?hl=en

Purchase "The Safety Trap" by Spencer Coursen: https://a.co/d/3KXG4y2

Connect With Coursen Security Group: https://www.coursensecuritygroup.com/