Chuck Pappalardo, the managing director of executive recruiting firm Trilogy Search suggests a variation on the office politics question that could reveal similar rifts and alliances without direct questioning.

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Despite assurances from President Bashar Assad, it has so far not allowed direct questioning of at least five officials sought by the chief investigator, Detlev Mehlis, a German prosecutor experienced in terrorism cases.

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In conjunction with the ailing Mike Ramsey, Lay's original attorney, the mild-mannered George Secrest will have to give the performance of a lifetime, which isn't likely given that he botched his lay-ups during direct questioning.

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