Lesson from Wakanda

One of the lovely things about Black Panther is the way Killmonger takes down Wakanda. He knows he isn’t strong enough to do it directly, so he uses his CIA training to divide and conquer, flattering and encouraging the perceived grievances of various groups until he can make wild promises that are believed by unwise people, and take the throne, largely because T’Challa thinks they are having a RITUAL combat, while Killmonger knows he’s playing for blood. Oops.

I can tell you some of the things I would do if I had intelligence training and wanted to cripple the U.S., or at least diminish its influence and power on the world stage.

1. I’d study its weaknesses. I think it reasonable to consider empathy would seem a weakness to an autocrat. Is it possible to attack on that level? Look at the issues where people are opening their hearts wide, and see if they can be exploited. There are issues of race and gender that are causing pain for various reasons. I’d sure pay attention.
2. Look at the other side of the equation. People who feel that government is a bad thing, especially those who would like to “tear it all down.” Freedom patriots, in their own minds. But boy oh boy, is THAT ever a field to plow.
3. I’d get an Asset. Someone who can rise to power, but is NOT committed to the security of the country as much as their own glory. A con man great at MARKETING but not good at DELIVERING would be about perfect. Influence them passively through flattery and nudging, or actively through personal threats leveraged…