American Assassin
Chapter 37
by Flynn, VinceIn Chapter 37, 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. The scene underscores Rapp’s ruthless efficiency and the moral ambiguity of his methods, as well as Dorfman’s twisted priorities—prioritizing his dog over his complicity in terrorism. Hurley executes Dorfman, cementing the chapter’s tense, violent tone.
The narrative shifts to Moscow, where SVR officer Ivanov reflects on a lucrative gas deal he has secured through a mix of negotiation and intimidation. Drawing parallels to *The Godfather*, Ivanov views post-Soviet Russia as a lawless landscape where power and corruption dominate. He takes pride in his ability to cut through bureaucratic inefficiencies, offering foreign investors a streamlined—albeit unethical—path to profits. His self-justification highlights the cynicism of the era, where former Soviet officials like him exploit the system for personal gain while dismissing younger, more legitimate entrepreneurs.
Ivanov’s worldview is further explored as he contrasts the Soviet Union’s failed communist experiment with the chaotic capitalism of modern Russia. He criticizes the old system’s inefficiencies, where incompetence was rewarded, and talent suppressed. In contrast, he sees the current era as dynamic but treacherous, with remnants of Soviet corruption still hindering progress. Ivanov positions himself as a necessary fixer, leveraging his state security role to control access to resources and extract a 10% stake from every deal, embodying the greed and opportunism of the new elite.
The chapter closes with Ivanov’s hungover frustration as his assistant, Shvets, attends to him. Their interaction reveals Ivanov’s paranoia about appearing weak, especially to younger colleagues. Shvets mentions preparations for a trip to Beirut, hinting at future operations. Ivanov’s blend of arrogance and insecurity encapsulates the chapter’s themes of power, corruption, and the brutal pragmatism that defines both Rapp’s world of espionage and Ivanov’s cutthroat business dealings.
FAQs
1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about Dorfman’s priorities?
Answer:
Rapp employs psychological torture by threatening Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, forcing him to choose which eye to pierce. This extreme tactic preys on Dorfman’s emotional attachment to his dog, which proves stronger than his loyalty to his wife or resistance to coercion. When Dorfman relents and opens the safe to save the dog, it reveals his skewed priorities—valuing an animal over human lives or his own safety. The scene underscores Rapp’s understanding of leverage (targeting vulnerabilities) and Dorfman’s moral ambiguity as a Nazi-sympathizing banker aiding terrorists.2. Compare the ethical frameworks of Rapp and Hurley during the interrogation. How do their approaches differ, and what might this suggest about their characters?
Answer:
Rapp shows momentary hesitation, questioning if he “has the stomach” for harming the dog, and later reflects on Dorfman’s twisted priorities. This suggests a conflicted moral compass, albeit one he overrides for the mission. Hurley, meanwhile, displays no such qualms; he focuses solely on results, coldly executing Dorfman after obtaining the files. Their differences highlight Rapp’s emerging complexity (struggling with brutality) versus Hurley’s hardened pragmatism. The contrast foreshadows Rapp’s potential internal conflict as an operative balancing efficacy with humanity.3. Analyze Ivanov’s perspective on post-Soviet Russia. How does he justify his corruption, and what historical parallels does he draw?
Answer:
Ivanov rationalizes his corruption as a natural response to Russia’s chaotic transition from Soviet inefficiency to capitalist “Wild West.” He compares the system to The Godfather, where power consolidates among the ruthless, and boasts of his ability to cut through bureaucracy for foreign investors—for a 10% stake. His worldview blends cynicism and opportunism: he condemns Soviet-era incompetence (“imbeciles” in power) while replicating its exploitation under a capitalist guise. The parallels to organized crime underscore his belief that power, not ideology, governs society.4. What thematic connections exist between the two plotlines (Rapp’s mission and Ivanov’s dealings)? How do they collectively critique systems of power?
Answer:
Both threads expose systemic corruption masked by legitimacy. Rapp uncovers a banker aiding terrorists under the guise of “just business,” while Ivanov weaponizes state security for personal gain. Each storyline critiques institutions (finance, government) that enable atrocities or exploitation under bureaucratic facades. The juxtaposition suggests that whether in espionage or post-Soviet oligarchy, power operates through coercion and moral compromise. The chapter implies that “official” systems (banks, SVR) often serve individual agendas rather than public good.5. Evaluate Hurley’s justification for killing Dorfman: “I’m only doing my job.” Is this a valid moral defense? Why or why not?
Answer:
Hurley’s defense echoes the Nuremberg “just following orders” fallacy, complicating its validity. While Dorfman’s Nazi ties and terrorist financing make him complicit, Hurley’s summary execution—without trial or remorse—reveals a utilitarian mindset that prioritizes mission success over due process. The act underscores the moral gray zones of counterterrorism: eliminating threats efficiently versus upholding ethical standards. However, the flippant delivery (“Jackpot!”) and Rapp’s muted reaction suggest institutionalized desensitization, raising questions about accountability in covert operations.
Quotes
1. ““Left eye or right eye? You choose.””
This chilling threat from Rapp to the banker Dorfman encapsulates the ruthless tactics used to extract information, highlighting the moral ambiguity of using psychological torture (even against a dog) to achieve objectives in counterterrorism operations.
2. ““You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife… don’t you?””
This revealing moment exposes Dorfman’s twisted priorities, serving as both a character insight and a commentary on how some collaborators may value personal attachments over human lives when aiding terrorist networks.
3. ““That’s what Russia was all about in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union… Both were corrupt to the core, and both systems served to line the pockets of the powerful.””
This sharp analysis from Ivanov’s perspective draws a powerful parallel between Soviet communism and post-Soviet capitalism, revealing the cynical reality of power structures where only the facade of ideology changes.
4. ““The game, though, was a treacherous one… It was The Godfather, the Wild West, and 1920s gangster America all rolled into one.””
This vivid description captures the lawless environment of post-Soviet business dealings, where Ivanov positions himself as a modern-day fixer bridging organized crime and state power.
5. ““Someone needed to keep track of all these foreign investors… After all, he was far more deserving of the profits than some twenty-five-year-old business-school graduate.””
This self-justification reveals Ivanov’s corrupt worldview, showing how former Soviet officials rationalized their criminal behavior as rightful compensation for their perceived superiority over Western capitalists.