Crossword Genius

Military expert's diplomacy at home controls agents (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tactician

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'military expert's diplomacy at home controls agents' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'diplomacy at home controls agents' is the wordplay.
'diplomacy' becomes 'tact' (tact can mean diplomacy or sensitivity).
'at home' becomes 'in' ('I'm in' can mean 'I'm at home').
'controls' indicates putting letters inside.
'agents' becomes 'CIA' (Central Intelligence Agency).
'in' placed around 'cia' is 'ician'.
'tact'+'ician'='TACTICIAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tactician that I've seen before include "Skilled planner" , "Adroit manoeuvrer" , "Strategist" , "Smart mover" , "Chess player" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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