Political Influences and Pressure in the SVR

Much of what happens to Dominika in the course of the novel is a result of political pressure put on leaders in the SVR. Putin, the president of Russia, elicits a good deal of this pressure because he allows only those who do his bidding to be given promotions and praise. A good deal of the troubles suffered by Dominika result from her uncle’s ambition for the highest position in the SVR. Although Egorov does not realize it, he is competing with another man for that top position, one who is even more tyrannical than him.

Dominika’s troubles begin with the first job that her uncle gives her. She understands that he wants to find evidence against Ustinov, a man who spoke out openly against Putin, in order to put him in jail. Dominika does not realize that...