Part 9/10:
Maintaining relationships without exposing oneself to manipulation is key. Successful operatives employ particular language to draw boundaries while maintaining a facade of cooperation. The implications can be serious; failure to navigate these conversations carefully can accelerate a downward spiral of compromising one’s integrity or safety.
Counterintuitively, American operatives' strategy involves creating an environment where targets feel inclined to share their vulnerabilities. By making it personal, the chances of turning an associate into a source increase dramatically as these operatives seek to understand their targets' personal desires, anxieties, and motivations, serving them as barter in a complex international game of protection and power.