American Assassin
Chapter 34
by Flynn, VinceIn Chapter 34, CIA operative Mitch Rapp and his colleague Hurley confront a banker named Dorfman, who has been aiding terrorists. To extract information, Rapp threatens Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, exploiting the banker’s emotional attachment to the animal. Dorfman, unable to bear the thought of his dog being harmed, relents and opens his safe, revealing Nazi memorabilia and financial documents linked to terrorist activities. Hurley executes Dorfman for his collaboration with terrorists, and the duo retrieves critical evidence before fleeing to Zurich for their next mission.
The chapter then shifts to Moscow, where SVR officer Ivanov reflects on his lucrative but corrupt dealings in post-Soviet Russia. Having secured a profitable gas contract, Ivanov compares the current economic landscape to *The Godfather*, emphasizing the pervasive corruption and power struggles. He justifies his actions as necessary in a system where inefficiency and bribery dominate, positioning himself as a gatekeeper for foreign investors seeking to navigate Russia’s treacherous business environment.
Ivanov’s worldview highlights the parallels between the old Soviet bureaucracy and the new capitalist free-for-all, where only the connected and ruthless thrive. He takes pride in his ability to deliver results, demanding a 10% stake in all deals as his non-negotiable fee. His arrogance is tempered by a hangover, and he relies on his subordinate, Shvets, to manage his discomfort while discussing upcoming plans, including a trip to Beirut.
The chapter contrasts Rapp’s brutal efficiency with Ivanov’s calculated corruption, illustrating the moral ambiguities in both counterterrorism and post-Soviet geopolitics. While Rapp uses extreme measures to dismantle terrorist networks, Ivanov exploits systemic chaos for personal gain, embodying the cynicism of Russia’s elite. Both storylines underscore the theme of power wielded without scruples, whether in the name of justice or profit.
FAQs
1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about their respective characters?
Answer:
Rapp employs brutal psychological pressure by threatening to harm Dorfman’s poodle, forcing the banker to reveal the safe combination. This tactic reveals Rapp’s willingness to cross moral boundaries for mission success, though his hesitation (“Rapp wasn’t sure he had the stomach for this”) suggests lingering discomfort. Dorfman’s prioritization of his dog over his wife or principles (“You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife”) exposes his warped values and vulnerability. The scene underscores Rapp’s strategic ruthlessness contrasted with Dorfman’s emotional weakness and moral bankruptcy as a Nazi sympathizer aiding terrorists.2. Analyze the parallels Ivanov draws between post-Soviet Russia and The Godfather. How does this reflect his worldview?
Answer:
Ivanov explicitly compares Russia’s post-Soviet economy to The Godfather’s power dynamics, describing a system where “corrupt courts, police, and security services” enable his extortion schemes (“10% ownership stake was non-negotiable”). His admiration for Coppola’s portrayal of power reveals his cynical worldview—he sees corruption as inevitable and positions himself as a “fixer” bridging Soviet-era brutality and capitalist greed. The analogy to 1920s gangsterism (“Wild West”) further illustrates his belief in lawless opportunism, where state security roles (SVR) and criminal enterprise merge. This reflects his justification for exploiting chaos: claiming he’s “far more deserving” than foreign investors while perpetuating the very inefficiencies he criticizes.3. Contrast Hurley and Rapp’s reactions to executing Dorfman. What does this suggest about their operational philosophies?
Answer:
Hurley executes Dorfman coldly (“squeezed the trigger… a single bullet into Dorfman’s brain”) with a quip about doing his “job,” displaying detached professionalism. Rapp, however, engages Dorfman in a moral debate (“You knew exactly who you were dealing with”) before the killing, revealing his need to rationalize violence. Hurley’s immediate focus on exfiltrating (“Let’s get the fuck out of here”) highlights mission-first pragmatism, while Rapp’s lingering disgust (“Nazi prick”) shows ethical tension. Their dynamic suggests Hurley embodies hardened cynicism, whereas Rapp—though effective—still grapples with the human cost, foreshadowing potential conflicts between idealism and operational demands.4. How does the chapter portray systemic corruption in both Switzerland (Dorfman) and Russia (Ivanov)?
Answer:
The chapter frames corruption as a global malignancy through two archetypes: Dorfman represents “respectable” Western complicity, using Swiss banking to launder terrorist funds while hiding behind bureaucratic neutrality (“just a businessman”). Ivanov epitomizes post-Soviet kleptocracy, where state institutions (SVR) and criminal networks merge to exploit foreign investors (“make their problems go away”). Both systems prioritize profit over morality—Dorfman via passive collaboration, Ivanov through active extortion. The Nazi dagger in Dorfman’s safe and Ivanov’s Soviet nostalgia further link historical atrocities to modern graft, suggesting corruption transcends ideology and geography when power goes unchecked.5. Evaluate the significance of the dog interrogation scene as a narrative device. What themes does it amplify?
Answer:
The poodle torture scene serves as a visceral metaphor for moral compromise. Rapp’s threat to maim an innocent animal—a line even Hurley hesitates to cross—mirrors the chapter’s broader theme of ends justifying means. The dog’s symbolic value outweighs Dorfman’s wife or victims, critiquing selective empathy in espionage. It also foreshadows Rapp’s internal conflict: his proficiency in psychological warfare clashes with his disgust at Dorfman’s priorities (“A poodle-loving Nazi”). By making the audience question who is more monstrous—Rapp for the threat, Dorfman for his choices—the scene amplifies themes of dehumanization in counterterrorism and the blurred lines between hunter and prey.
Quotes
1. ““Left eye or right eye? You choose.””
This chilling quote captures Rapp’s ruthless interrogation tactic, using psychological torture (threatening the banker’s dog) to achieve his mission objectives. It reveals the dark methods employed in counterterrorism operations.
2. ““You’re a liar.” […] “That’s for certain,” Hurley said […] “You have their names, their accounts. You knew exactly who you were dealing with.””
This exchange exposes the moral justification for their violent actions - the banker’s willful collaboration with terrorists despite his claims of innocence. It highlights the protagonists’ black-and-white worldview in their war on terror.
3. ““The two systems were not, at the end of the day, all that different from each other. Both were corrupt to the core, and both systems served to line the pockets of the powerful.””
This insightful comparison between Soviet communism and post-Soviet Russian capitalism reveals the cynical reality of power structures. Ivanov’s reflection shows how corruption persists regardless of political systems.
4. ““It was The Godfather, the Wild West, and 1920s gangster America all rolled into one.””
This vivid metaphor encapsulates Ivanov’s view of modern Russia as a lawless frontier where power and connections matter more than rules. It explains his role as a fixer in this chaotic environment.
5. ““Someone needed to keep track of all these foreign investors and make sure they weren’t stealing the Motherland’s natural resources. After all, he was far more deserving of the profits than some twenty-five-year-old business-school graduate.””
This quote reveals Ivanov’s self-justification for his corrupt practices, blending nationalist rhetoric with personal greed. It shows how former KGB officers repurposed their skills in the new capitalist Russia.