The term itself arose out of the difficulty of convicting someone of accepting a bribe from a third party when nobody else suffered a tangible loss.

FORBES: Skilling Decision: No Get Out Of Jail Free Card

Even the relatively tangible repercussions -- such as the loss of indigenous industrial capability and the attendant, increased reliance on foreign suppliers for components of key weapon systems -- are typically dismissed, or at least subordinated to the perceived greater good of developing globalized relationships with trading partners.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Trading With The ��Enemy��