Part 10/16:
A recurring theme is the question of morality in covert operations. Jacobsen reflects on how commanders and presidents are often faced with difficult decisions—whether to kill, spare, or deceive. She references the CIA's kill lists, the assassination of figures like Che Guevara, and the personal stories of operatives who grapple with guilt, patriotism, and the ethics of their missions.
The debate extends to how society perceives war. The romanticization of combat through movies and media is contrasted with the brutal reality—targeted killings with minimal accountability, collateral civilian casualties, and the moral consequences of distant warfare. She points out that public awareness is often limited to failures or controversies, while successful operations remain classified.