spymasters
Handlers of agents
Spymasters are people who direct espionage operations, overseeing networks of agents and intelligence gathering.
The term evokes Cold War intrigue and appears often in spy fiction: The spymaster ran assets across three continents.
In real intelligence agencies, the role exists but the title is informal—a dramatic shorthand for senior intelligence officers who manage covert operations.
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- CIAU.S. foreign intelligence service
- KGBUSSR intelligence service
- MI6UK espionage agency
- MossadIsraeli espionage service
agents · assets · handlers · moles · informants · defectors · surveillance · counterintelligence
Concealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
incognito · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · hidden · unseen · surreptitious · camouflage · veiled
Underhanded control of others
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
betrayal · treachery · double-dealing · moles · defection · blackmail · disinformation · propaganda
Restricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- compartmentalizedDivided into isolated sections
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
- redactedOfficially removed from view
encrypted · cipher · anonymity · discretion · silence · concealment · aliases · vetting
Methods to achieve goals
- operationsPlanned systematic activities
- planningArranging for future events
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
control · networks · geopolitics · diplomacy · alliance · warfare · doctrine · counterintelligence
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
Mossad · agents · assets · handlers · moles · informants · defectors · surveillance · counterintelligence · dead-drops
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
disguise · incognito · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · hidden · unseen · surreptitious · camouflage · veiled · false-flags
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- plottingDevising a secret plan
conspiracy · betrayal · treachery · double-dealing · moles · defection · blackmail · disinformation · propaganda · purges
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- compartmentalizedDivided into isolated sections
- need-to-knowAccess limited by necessity
redacted · encrypted · cipher · anonymity · discretion · silence · concealment · aliases · vetting · clearance
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- operationsPlanned systematic activities
- planningArranging for future events
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
command · control · networks · geopolitics · diplomacy · alliance · warfare · doctrine · counterintelligence · offensive
- espionagedouble agent, double agents, spying, moles, secret agents
- power behind the throneadvisors, regents, viziers, cardinals, prime ministers
- Berlin figurespoliticians, chancellors, political figures, urban planners
- power brokerspowerbroker, kingpin, kingmakers, puppeteer, kingmaker
spymastersfield agents
Deployed intelligence personnel
assets · informants · spies · moles · sources
spymasterswhistleblowers
Those exposing organizational misconduct
leakers · investigative journalists · Edward Snowden · Julian Assange · exposers