Agents, how do we get the information we want from the sources who have access to it?

Classic intelligence theory references MICE – Money, Intelligence, Conscience, and Ego. A while ago, I recorded this variant in my Spycraft notes:

Material – we have a tangible thing they want (money, coke, hookers).

Ideology – their beliefs are congruent with ours and they want to help us.

Compromise – we find an existing fear (i.e., a secret whose exposure is feared) and leverage it.

Ego – we reinforce (or challenge) their self-worth.

Revenge – we facilitate their need to get back at someone who wronged them.

Coercion – we create a new fear (make them afraid of us, usually) and leverage it.