Tim Weiner

They had diplomatic passports.

If they got caught, they couldn't be arrested under the rules of diplomacy.

They would be declared persona non grata and deported.

A knock would pose as a businessman or a criminal and recruit foreigners to spy for the United States without the protection of the diplomatic passport.

The central job of the CIA officer overseas is to commit foreigners, to commit treason against their own countries, betray their countries, and spy for the United States.

And that's the highest calling.