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About this quote

What does it mean?
The US is powerful and hires terrorist states to carry out acts, unlike smaller states that hire individuals.
In plain terms
The US uses state proxies for terrorist acts instead of individuals.
What can you take from it?
Powerful states use other states to conduct covert acts.

Where it applies

  • geopolitics
  • defense policy
  • international law

Putting it to work

  • track state proxies
  • review covert policies
  • compare actors

Questions to consider

  • How do states conduct covert ops?
  • What is the role of proxies?

Another view

It simplifies complex covert operations into a direct hiring model.

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