Beret

Pretend for a moment that you’re running a international group of crazy people from your cave in Afghanistan, and you want to talk to your super secret switchboard in the capital of your fathers birth country.

So you just take out your satellite phone and call direct to HQ. To provide some level of security you speak in using code words like you’re an 8 year old with a secret clubhouse. Your sinister bearded operatives in foreign countries also call direct to your communications hub to receive your orders.

As you somewhat openly plot your moves, the agency motoring your calls (NSA) refuses to share intelligence with other agencies due to interagency rivalries. Similar issues of non-communication occur to a lesser extent with the CIA & FBI.

While they’re bickering you bomb 2 US embassies, the USS Cole and hijack 4 planes which you crash into various buildings of significance.

Congratulations, your operations are now at international mastermind level; and your enemies have hamstrung themselves.

ps: watch the whole nova program on this, it’s very interesting.