American Assassin
Chapter 48
by Flynn, VinceThe chapter opens with a tense scene where Mitch Rapp, a covert operative, threatens a banker named Dorfman by holding a knife to his dog’s eye. Dorfman, emotionally distraught, relents and opens his safe to reveal incriminating evidence linking him to terrorist financing. Rapp and his partner, Hurley, discover Nazi memorabilia and financial documents, confirming Dorfman’s collaboration with terrorists. Despite Dorfman’s pleas that he was merely a businessman, Hurley executes him, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The duo then prepares to leave for Zurich, hinting at further missions involving financial networks tied to illicit activities.
The narrative shifts to Moscow, where Ivanov, a high-ranking SVR officer, reflects on a lucrative gas deal he secured through a mix of negotiation and intimidation. Ivanov draws parallels between the corrupt systems of post-Soviet Russia and *The Godfather*, highlighting how power and money intertwine in the new economy. He prides himself on cutting through bureaucratic inefficiencies, offering foreign investors a streamlined path to profits—for a hefty fee. Ivanov justifies his actions as protecting Russia’s resources, though his motives are clearly self-serving.
The chapter critiques the chaotic transition from Soviet rule to capitalism, portraying a landscape rife with corruption and opportunism. Ivanov embodies this shift, leveraging his state security role to amass personal wealth while dismissing the incompetence of the old regime. He contrasts the stagnant Soviet era with the dynamic, albeit lawless, present, where those with connections thrive. The narrative underscores the moral ambiguity of Ivanov’s world, where business and crime blur, and power is wielded without accountability.
In the final section, Ivanov’s assistant, Shvets, attends to his hungover boss, who is irritable but satisfied with his deal’s progress. Ivanov’s headache symbolizes the toll of his ruthless lifestyle, yet he refuses to show weakness. The chapter closes with Shvets preparing for an upcoming mission to Beirut, hinting at further clandestine operations. The interplay of power, corruption, and violence ties the two storylines together, illustrating the dark underbelly of global espionage and finance.
FAQs
1. How does Rapp use psychological tactics to extract information from Dorfman, and what does this reveal about Dorfman’s character?
Answer:
Rapp employs psychological torture by threatening Dorfman’s poodle with a knife, forcing him to choose which eye to target. This cruel tactic preys on Dorfman’s emotional attachment to the dog, which proves stronger than his loyalty to his wife or resistance to Rapp’s demands. The scene reveals Dorfman as a morally ambiguous figure—a Nazi sympathizer who aids terrorists yet displays unexpected vulnerability through his devotion to his pet. His immediate compliance when the dog is threatened contrasts sharply with his earlier defiance, exposing a hierarchy of values where the dog’s safety outweighs his professional secrecy or personal pride.2. Analyze the parallels Ivanov draws between post-Soviet Russia and The Godfather. How does this comparison reflect his worldview?
Answer:
Ivanov likens Russia’s post-Soviet economy to The Godfather, describing a system where power and corruption dominate. He highlights how both regimes enrich the elite while exploiting inefficiencies, but contrasts the Soviet era’s stifling bureaucracy with the current “Wild West” capitalism, where he positions himself as a fixer akin to a mafia don. This comparison reveals Ivanov’s cynical worldview: he sees governance as a predatory game where “10 percent ownership” is the price of doing business. His admiration for Coppola’s film underscores his belief in raw power dynamics—where influence, not ideology, dictates success—and justifies his corruption as a “natural extension” of state security work.3. What ethical dilemma does Rapp face during the interrogation, and how does Hurley’s reaction complicate it?
Answer:
Rapp grapples with the morality of torturing an animal to achieve their mission, hesitating as he moves the knife toward the dog’s eye. His internal conflict (“wasn’t sure he had the stomach for this”) contrasts with Hurley’s silent plea to stop, conveyed through his “uncertain” eyes. Hurley’s discomfort—preferring to torture Dorfman directly—adds layers to the dilemma: while both agents are complicit in violence, Hurley’s boundaries highlight Rapp’s escalating ruthlessness. The moment underscores the dehumanizing effects of their work, where even hardened operatives draw arbitrary ethical lines (e.g., harming humans vs. pets).4. How does the chapter portray the shift from Soviet-era Russia to a capitalist economy, and what role does Ivanov play in this system?
Answer:
The chapter depicts post-Soviet Russia as a chaotic blend of opportunity and corruption, where Soviet-era inefficiencies are replaced by predatory capitalism. Ivanov embodies this transition: he scorns the old system’s nepotism and stagnation but exploits the new one as a gatekeeper for foreign investors. By leveraging his SVR connections to “make problems go away,” he mirrors the oligarch class—profiting from privatization while maintaining Soviet-style strong-arm tactics (e.g., threatening uncooperative businessmen). His 10% fee symbolizes the systemic graft, framing Russia’s “dynamic” economy as a veneer for organized crime.5. Evaluate the significance of Hurley’s discovery of Nazi memorabilia in Dorfman’s safe. How does this detail shape the reader’s perception of the banker?
Answer:
The SS dagger and insignia confirm Dorfman’s Nazi affiliations, transforming him from a generic corrupt banker into a symbol of historical evil. This revelation justifies Rapp and Hurley’s brutality, framing Dorfman as a morally irredeemable figure who aids terrorists while clinging to fascist ideology. The detail also reinforces the novel’s themes of hidden identities and systemic corruption: Dorfman’s respectable banking facade masks both his Nazi past and his role in modern terrorism. Hurley’s quip (“Nazi prick”) underscores the irony of a man who cherishes a poodle yet venerates a regime notorious for brutality.
Quotes
1. ““Left eye or right eye? You choose.””
This quote captures Rapp’s brutal interrogation tactic, using psychological torture (threatening the banker’s dog) to achieve his mission objectives. It reveals the morally ambiguous methods employed by operatives in the field.
2. ““You care more about that damn dog than you do your wife… don’t you?””
This cutting observation highlights the banker’s twisted priorities while underscoring Rapp’s disgust at collaborating with terrorists. The quote reveals character motivations and adds dark irony to the scene.
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 Russia encapsulates Ivanov’s cynical worldview. It serves as a key thematic statement about systemic corruption and power structures.
4. ““It was The Godfather, the Wild West, and 1920s gangster America all rolled into one.””
This vivid metaphor describes the lawless environment of post-Soviet Russia. The quote effectively conveys the chaotic intersection of organized crime, capitalism, and government corruption.
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 rationalization reveals Ivanov’s self-serving justification for corruption. The quote perfectly captures the hypocrisy of officials who position themselves as patriots while exploiting the system.