Mutually Assured Dirt Deterrence

The piece frames elite politics as running on widespread kompromat that functions like nuclear deterrence: exposing one actor risks devastating counter‑leaks, so leaders trade secrecy for stability. This 'new M.A.D.' helps explain why scandals stall, prosecutions wobble, and strange cross‑faction deals appear. — If information blackmail creates a deterrence equilibrium, breaking impunity requires new transparency, immunity, or institutional tools designed for information hostages, not just standard prosecutions.