> but their interests do sometimes align

I think this is more likely than some 'agent' plot. These people do not really care about countries, but what benefits them and their extended family. As Italians would say: "our thing".

His personal lawyer and mentor was also a lawyer for the major mafia families in NYC and a known blackmailer and fixer, the student has surpassed the master.

> As Italians would say: "our thing".

Ouch.