The United States in particular knows this very well and knows that many elements of the organization are active through this method in all countries, including the United States.

BBC: Iraqi rebuttal: Terror links

The buffering method you choose will make a big difference: Active lying is more damaging than avoidance, research indicates.

WSJ: Lying to a Spouse: Relationship Advice on How It Can Be Healthy

The standard measure for such things is the Scoville Heat Unit, or SHU, named after Wilbur Lincoln Scoville, a chemist who in 1912 developed a method of assessing the heat given off by capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers.

WSJ: The World's Hottest Chili