I think beyond just the tactics used, Section 31 presents itself as an organization acting under its own authority and direction. No Federation President, no Starfleet Chief of Staff, just them.

Or just knowing the right people [or person, if it was Dr. Mora Pol who created it?], and keeping things small-scale?

SPOILERS
Maybe the Breen there was replaced by a Changeling, and that Changeling-Breen ultimately helped push the Breen into joining the Dominion.

Aw. I liked that Romulan, and I'd be disappointed if she were a plant.

I remember some fansite working out that Nixon was the last of our presidents directly mentioned, and based on that, suggesting that he was impeached [or resigned] in '74 and they held a presidential election that year, rather than having his VP finish out the term.

Hell, it's not even just a name - it's meant to be a legal 'justification' for their existence.

I think 'In the Pale Moonlight' was the first Trek episode I ever watched - it was certainly the first of the TNG era*. As a kid, I wasn't interested in Trek, but at some point, I had heard good things about this episode (or maybe wanted to know where the 'It's a FAAAKE' meme came from?), and stumbled across it on…

From what I recall, SI wasn't trying to shut it down, just to prevent it from betraying the Alpha Quadrant.

Captain Willard, grown old?

Almost certainly. I mean, there's already Starfleet Intelligence, and secret organizations, even in a setting with replicators, can only stay secret for so long.

Could be that they're multiple organizations (at different times), but all adopt the same name because it gives them a measure of cover and continuity?

that's literally true:
"All Starfleet personnel must obtain authorisation from their CO as well as clearance from their medical officer before initiating an intimate relationship with an alien species." - voyager, 'the disease', 5x17

Next week: Julian Bashir struggles to get a good night's sleep, and then Ben Sisko writes a personal log.

On rewatch, I'm amused at how that conversation ends with Kira dressing them down for being too busy chatting while they're supposed to be on duty. I half-wonder how much of that was hearing O'Brien wax on about heroic defeat against overwhelming force when Kira's seen the reality of that kind of war.

Did you ever wind up returning that one to Bajor, or was it conveniently 'lost'?

I'd hope for at least Almost Human, but in space?

I remember seeing a version where the Vulcan tears up an 'Appropriate Greetings on the Anniversary of Your Birth, Mother' card.

Nor was K'Ehleyr. for that matter.

If NuDisqus-related issues somehow took down the artificial gravity, would you be ready?

When I first saw a preview for Hostages, I thought it was previewing a movie, and it seemed like it could've been a fun little thriller. Implausible, sure, but if it were done well, you wouldn't notice til you leave the theater.