KGB Strategy Masterclass: The Trump Case, part 2

Part 2: The KGB Playbook: A Masterclass in Influence (2/2)

This article series, "KGB Strategy Masterclass: The Trump Case," explores the unsettling possibility that the KGB's most impactful operation might not be a Cold War relic, but a contemporary figure in American politics. Part 1 laid the groundwork, dissecting the KGB's playbook for identifying and cultivating "assets" – individuals ripe for manipulation. It examined their multi-tiered recruitment process and the tactics, ranging from appeals to ego and greed to coercion and blackmail, used to secure loyalty. ( If you haven't read Part 1 yet, you can find it here.)

The 'Push-Pull' Technique

Once an individual was identified as a potential asset, the KGB would employ a carefully calibrated "push-pull" technique to solidify their control. This wasn't about brute force; it was about subtle manipulation, exploiting human weaknesses and desires to create a sense of dependency and obligation.

The "pull" involved offering a range of incentives, tailored to the individual's specific needs and aspirations. For some, it might be financial assistance: a “small envelope” with cash, a lucrative job opportunity, or moving to a better apartment that would be otherwise inaccessible. For others, it might be social recognition: a ticket to a foreign band concert, a flattering profile in a state-controlled publication, or a chance to join the Communist Party despite one’s non-proletariat origin or “wrong” ethnicity. The key was to create a sense of gratitude and indebtedness, making the asset feel obligated to reciprocate.

But the "push" was equally important. If the "pull" wasn't enough, the KGB would resort to more coercive tactics. This could involve blackmail, using compromising information to threaten the asset's reputation or career or freedom. It could involve intimidation, using subtle threats or veiled warnings to create a sense of fear and anxiety. It could even involve fabricating kompromat, planting false “evidence” to discredit the asset or make them susceptible to prosecution. The goal was to create a sense of vulnerability and dependence, making the asset feel that they had no choice but to comply.

I remember one acquaintance, a well-educated and ambitious man, who was offered a “prestigious position” – servicing foreign tourists. Ridiculous as it may sound to a Western ear, the implied value of the job was the possibility of receiving “gifts” from clients, often in hard currency. (Remember how Nevada was happy about No Tax on Tips? Now multiply it by 100.) He accepted, grateful for the opportunity to “advance his career.” However, he soon discovered that the service organization was essentially a KGB subsidiary, and the opportunity came with strings attached. He was pressured to collect information about his clients and, of course, share the “gifts” with his handler. His lucrative employment continued for several years, and his internal “rank” within “the System” must have grown high. He stopped hiding his obvious albeit inexplicable wealth, and apparently forgot to share… Ten years in prison, eventually reduced to six for exemplary behavior.

The Long Game: Patience and Persistence

The KGB was rarely interested in quick wins or short-term gains. They preferred playing the long game, patiently cultivating assets over years, even decades, to achieve their strategic objectives. They understood that influence is built gradually, through a series of small, seemingly insignificant steps that create a web of obligation and dependence.

This required patience and persistence. KGB officers were trained to build relationships, gain trust, and nurture loyalty. They understood that even the most promising asset might not be immediately useful, but that with careful cultivation, he could become a valuable tool in the future.

The process often began with seemingly innocuous requests: sharing information about colleagues, attending certain events, or expressing support for certain policies. These small acts of compliance, while seemingly insignificant, created a sense of complicity, making it harder for the asset to resist future requests. Over time, the asset would become increasingly entangled in the KGB's web, their freedom of action gradually eroded, quite in line with what’s known in psychology as “brainwashing” or “coercive persuasion.”

This long-term perspective allowed the KGB to shape events, manipulate public opinion, and undermine adversaries from within. The "long game" was a cornerstone of the KGB's success, and it's a strategy that continues to be employed by intelligence agencies around the world today.

(If you’ve read this far, you may already have a hunch about one person who may have been earmarked as a hi-po candidate in the long game… Watch this space for Part 3: “Financial Ties, Ideological Alignment and the Erosion of Democracy”)