I'm not sure i understood the whole depth until i read what you had to write about it. how much of a security liability was this susceptibility to flattery? >> well, any kind of susceptibility is a liability, right? everyone was focused on the idea that they had something they could blackmail him with. basically, just easier to do, right? much cheaper, much lower cost. you don't have to be skulking around getting material. all you had to do was say something nice about him. it is a classic moment i talk about in the book, where vladimir putin went on television and if you notice, putin never s...