Support Departnt Chief Calvin replied, "I agree with Erin's analysis. The direct cost and potential risks of military intervention are imasurable. Moreover, there's an even more challenging issue: The factions we are currently supporting among the opposition ard forces in Silia are nurous and complex. Organizations like 'Victory Front' (Al-Nusra), although they are indeed fighting against the governnt army on the battlefield, their extremist background and connection with Al-Qaeda are like lice on a bald head—obvious."
"If we now, due to Omar's death, feel they are leaderless and decide to support them, even if it's just providing weapons, funds or intelligence, once exposed... Trust , in a place like this, there are no walls that don't leak wind—the diplomatic and moral disaster we face will be catastrophic. European allies will strongly oppose it, and the dostic public will not understand why we are supporting a group tagged as terrorists. It's simply like holding a political bomb in our hand."
Jackson frowned tightly, clearly unconvinced, "So should we do nothing? Just watch as Song Heping, this guy flaunting our official 'KB mber' title, is there basking in glory, receiving dals, helping Damascus stabilize the situation, and continually weakening the forces we support? Are we supposed to swallow our pride like this? The 'Victory Front' is now leaderless, and internal disorder is inevitable; this is precisely the opportunity for us to infiltrate, exert influence, and even indirectly guide them to continue bleeding Damascus dry! Even if we can't support them publicly, can't we provide limited, deniable support through a third party, under multiple covers?"
At this mont, the head of the Technology Departnt, a sowhat silent, thin-haired technocrat, adjusted his glasses and interjected in his unemotional tone, "From a purely technical analysis, implenting accurate physical removal (decapitation) on Song Heping poses significant difficulties. Current intelligence shows he is located within the core control area of the Silia Governnt Army, likely in Damascus or nearby. The area is equipped with the most advanced Russian Army S-300 and even S-400 air defense systems, along with nurous electronic warfare units."
"The success rate of penetrating with drones is low, and they are extrely likely to be shot down or have signals captured. If the wreckage falls into the hands of Russia, the consequences would be unimaginable. Sending Special Forces teams to infiltrate would require breaking through nurous defenses; the operation risk is extrely high, and the chance of personnel being captured is very large. Any situation would lead to an unresolvable diplomatic disaster and personnel loss."
Another intelligence deputy chief responsible for Middle East affairs promptly added, "Even if we take a huge step back and assu the action is successful, greatly weakening the Damascus regi, or even coincidentally taking down Hafez, then who would benefit most from this? Behind organizations like 'Victory Front' are Jordan, Turkey's Shadow, and they even have ambiguous connections with Organization 1515."
"If these more extre organizations seize power in Silia, we would face a regi even more extre, more anti-Arican, more unpredictable than the current Damascus governnt, and it might completely align with Ankara or Doha. This would be akin to making wedding clothes for others, completely incompatible with our national strategic interests, and might create a monster more troubleso than now."
The eting descended into intense debate, with viewpoints fiercely clashing, and pros and cons repeatedly weighed and debated.
Simon remained leaning forward, showing a pose of serious listening, his fingers unconsciously tapping gently on the smooth tabletop.
His inner thoughts were far more complex than they appeared.
The subordinates were debating national interests, strategic balance, diplomatic gains and losses, these grand and cold topics.
But the core of his thoughts was tightly entangled with a deadly, burning personal shackle—Song Heping held the evidence that could instantly ruin him, leaving him in ruin.
Song Heping being alive was an absolute survival prerequisite for Simon personally.
Once Song Heping died, the evidence would spread like a virus across all mainstream dia and competitor intelligence agencies' desks.
As acting director, forget about becoming official; he might end up spending the rest of his life in prison, or possibly being "suicided."
He needed to skillfully guide the eting towards a direction that outwardly maintained U.S. interests—at least it sounded plausible—while ensuring the real safety of Song Heping.
But he absolutely couldn't state it directly; he had to make it appear as if this idea erged from the "professional recomndations" of his subordinates.
When the debate subsided montarily, and a brief silence fell in the conference room, Simon precisely focused his gaze on the always silent, contemplative Action Departnt deputy chief Jackson.
Choosing him was because he was practically brainless, fond of military actions.
Only by letting him suffer frustration can Simon find better excuses and reasons for seeking new cooperation paths.
"Jackson."
His voice carried encouragent and consultation, "Everyone has presented many valuable points and concerns. The risk of public opinion backlash and direct military intervention is indeed high; indirect support for the opposition potentially backfires, making geopolitical consequences unpredictable. As the frontline executors, does your Action Departnt have any more specific, more precise, more... secretive ways to tackle this 'problem'?"
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