So Transparent ...
This story makes it clear why the US objected so strongly to the Serious Farce Office being told to drop its investigation into Saudi corruption in relation to an arms deal. Oh dear. If you're going to try to be devious and maneuvre your owners' competitors out of the way, then it's good manners to at least be a bit less transparent about it.
It's no wonder, given this and the suspicion with which books are treated that the US is a laughing stock in the civilised world.