The term itself arose out of the difficulty of convicting someone of accepting a bribe from a third party when nobody else suffered a tangible loss.

FORBES: Skilling Decision: No Get Out Of Jail Free Card

Even the relatively tangible repercussions such as the loss of indigenous industrial capability and the attendant, increased reliance on foreign suppliers for components of key weapon systems are typically dismissed, or at least subordinated to the perceived greater good of developing globalized relationships with trading partners.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Trading With The Enemy

Even the relatively tangible repercussions -- such as the loss of indigenous industrial capability and the attendant, increased reliance on foreign suppliers for components of key weapon systems -- are typically dismissed, or at least subordinated to the perceived greater good of developing globalized relationships with trading partners.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Trading With The ��Enemy��