No coincidence that the move happened after Cicero left. After she took extended leave or retired or whatever. Only then, only in the wake of Cicero would they dare to make this move.
Because Cicero knew, and they knew Cicero knew. Because Cicero understood the Great Game – they could see that. Cicero could play strategically. She understood realpolitik.
Cicero had the cunning of old Europe – they could see that. Of the Eastern bloc. Of European culture. Cicero knew their wiles. Their stratagem. Cicero understood the apparatchik logic. The Party mentality. Cicero had a long Mitteleuropean memory …
Work in Progress 