So an idea for a new game hit me. I have a couple ideas on how it might work.

The first, you play as an NSA analyst and pore through simulated data through simulated govt spying systems.. and try to catch terrorists, or foreign spies. Or maybe your not making your numbers, and need to cook up some false positives. Or maybe you stumble on some info worth selling. Try and work your way up the ranks at the NSA without getting fired, jailed or worse based on what you can find and what you do with it.

The second idea I think would be more fun, but harder to make.

Basically you would play as a fictitious version of a John Poindexter type character, and the game style would be a mix of the aforementioned, one of those election games like The Political Machine, with time passage and events similar to a Crusader Kings or Europa Universalis type game.

Start as a somewhat connected operative in the Intelligence/politicial/MIL-IND complex.. and with you starting monetary and political capital build your fortunes as an intelligence mastermind. Start gathering data, make sales pitches, get govt contracts, get private intelligence contracts, blackmail , bribe, befriend, threaten politicians and business execs. Catch foreign spies to raise your standing, spill dirt on CIA directors that threaten your agenda.

Launch COINTELPRO campaigns against opposing groups, sell info on environmentalist activities to big corp for monetary or political capital, etc. Compete against rivals and become the most powerful force in the country without being disgraced, going broke, getting jailed, shot, etc.

Thoughts?

For who could be free when every other man's humour might domineer over him? - John Locke (2nd Treatise, sect 57)