But from the attitude expressed, he certainly sounded like the Ivy League (superficially-) educated William Buckley type Republican. The author, though American himself, hated the place and moved his family to the UK.

In the book, the Major later orders Nicholai tortured, disfigured, and tossed into solitary for three years until the CIA decides his skills are needed. After completing what the CIA asked of him, Nicholai disappears, and the major later meets a violent "accidental" demise, which it is obvious Nicholai has engineered.