He Experienced What Few Ever Do: An Interview with a Former Deputy Director of the FBI

Paul H. Haertel spent more than three decades with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. He led the Bureau’s elite crisis response unit, played a key role in the investigation of the terrorist bombing in Tanzania, and later served as Legal Attaché in Prague. Over the course of his career, he rose to the position of Deputy Assistant Director of the Critical Incident Response Group — the division responsible for responding to terrorism, kidnappings, and mass casualty shootings.

In an interview for PrahaIN.cz, Haertel reflects on how the security landscape has evolved throughout his career. While the 1990s were largely defined by traditional forms of terrorism, today’s most significant threats include mass shootings, cyberattacks, and the spread of disinformation. He emphasizes that information warfare can be just as devastating to democratic societies as acts of physical violence.

Haertel also dispels popular myths about the FBI, offering insight into a reality that is less cinematic but far more demanding. At its core are disciplined teamwork and rigorous adherence to established protocols — factors that often determine whether lives are saved in times of crisis. Now living in the Czech Republic, Haertel continues to share his expertise through educational initiatives and professional consulting in security and crisis management.

Read the full interview here: He Experienced What Few Ever Do: An Interview with a Former Deputy Director of the FBI