Alongside the Sword: The Transformative Power of a Good Read

Fred Burton is a born storyteller. And he has a lot of stories to tell. Burton is Stratfor's long-time Chief Security officer. He's also a former counter-terrorism agent with the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service. One other note: Burton is a New York Times bestselling author.

So how does one move from the fast-paced life of global security into an occupation that many may associate more with a slow, methodical translation of ideas into words followed by the measured, careful transfer of those words to paper?

When The Guardians Needs Guarding

This is a frightening story about revenge. An ex-LAPD cop goes rogue targeting other officers. On a personal note, I know the LAPD cop in the eye of the storm. We go way back. When The Guardians Needs Guarding shines a spotlight into the life of a police officer hunted by a crazed mad man. The LAPD has done a wonderful job telling this story. Let me know what you think?

Defending Data: Q&A With Security Expert Fred Burton

We recently sat down with Fred Burton, a member of ALTR’s board of advisors, to hear his perspective on the landscape of threats to enterprise data security and integrity. Burton heads the global security practice of Stratfor. Before Stratfor, he was a counterterrorism agent for the U.S. State Department and leader of many high profile international investigations. He is an author whose four books include the best-selling “GHOST: Confessions of a Counterrorism Agent.”

Making Sense of The Redactions and Black Outs in Beirut Rules

I’ve received lots of questions about the black outs and redactions in Beirut Rules., to include comments on social media and in various book reviews. Why so many redactions and black outs? We decided to leave the redactions in the book for transparency sake, so the reader would know exactly what the CIA Publication Review Board (known as the PRB) took out. Some readers love it and others don’t. However, I think it was the right thing to do. As a side bar, the clearance process took 11 months. The hold up was The Pentagon, and I’m not sure why? On a positive note, the Agency was good to work with in getting the book and pictures cleared. The CIA authorized the use of Bill’s official badge photographs.

Reflections on My Book Talk at The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library

I’ve had an exciting string of speaking events for Beirut Rules, to include the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library, which was a true honor. The library was special because President Bush had written a moving testimonial about Bill’s heroic story. While visiting the burial location for the President and Mrs. Bush, a local news crew interviewed me about the one year anniversary of the passing of Mrs. Barbara Bush. I greatly enjoyed my conversation with Warren Finch, the library director and learned that the Bush Library is one of twelve in the United States operated by The National Archives. Teddy Roosevelt’s library was the first. We had a packed house and lots of great questions about Bill Buckley. Tracy Paine coordinated my visit to the library and was simply amazing. I loved the “41” tie that the library gave me for speaking!

Photos here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/georgebushlibrary/sets/72157704866414662/with/32799560637/