Changing of the Guard

The pacing was relentless, but I appreciated moments that added depth to the characters. Was this approach planned from the beginning or did it develop during writing?

I'm curious whether the author drew on real intelligence practices or created a more dramatized version for suspense. How authentic do the espionage details feel?

The geopolitical landscape felt very vivid and timely. I wonder if current events or personal experiences influenced the world-building.