Crossword Genius

Aims of American agents to protect Republican... (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aspires

'aims' is the definition.
('aspire' can be a synonym of 'aim')

'american agents to protect republican' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'a' (common abbreviation - e.g. in organisation names).
'agents' becomes 'spies' (spy is a kind of agent).
'to protect' is an insertion indicator.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'spies' enclosing 'r' is 'spires'.
'a'+'spires'='ASPIRES'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for aspires that I've seen before include "Has ambition to" , "Has an ambitious plan" , "dreams" , "Hopes" , "Aims to rise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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