PB
Political alliances are reshuffled periodically like a deck of cards. Within any population of current or potential significance there is intentionally embedded a small group directing events behind the scenes, some of whom throughout history have been labeled "advisors," stealth employees of a larger organization. The embeds marry into the group and become part of the population. Whatever the flaws of the group, the embeds become a far worse cancer, seeking out individuals manifesting those flaws, other sociopaths, to metasticize them into a more or less dysfunctional society, as serves their purposes.
The book excerpt included here is mostly describing the frontmen.