On November 22, 2024, Eurasia Review reported that Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has transformed into a powerful foreign policy tool under President Erdogan, expanding its clandestine operations across multiple regions. The article begins:
Turkish foreign policy has undergone fundamental change under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Less understood is the rise of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) as a tool of Turkish foreign policy. The expanded scope and sophistication of Turkey’s intelligence and clandestine operations have become integral to its foreign and security policy. This paper examines how clandestine intelligence operations have increasingly become a tool of and reflect Turkey’s evolving geopolitical position. Finally, it examines the implications these increased clandestine activities have for regional and international dynamics and highlights the critical interplay between enhanced intelligence activities and Turkish foreign policy objectives.
Historical Context of Turkish Intelligence
The story of Turkish intelligence, tracing its origins from the late Ottoman Empire to its sophisticated contemporary operations, reflects Turkey’s complex history. The Turkish intelligence community can trace its roots as far back as 1299 to the early administrative organs of the Ottoman Empire.
Key Points:
- Under Hakan Fidan’s leadership, MİT transformed from a military-dominated agency to a civilian-led organization with expanded foreign operations capability.
- MİT developed paramilitary capabilities after the 2016 coup attempt, enabling direct military actions independent of Turkey’s conventional forces.
- The agency has orchestrated major clandestine operations in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan, using Syrian rebels as proxies in regional conflicts.
- Recent leadership changes, with Fidan becoming Foreign Minister and Kalin heading MİT, signal continued expansion of aggressive intelligence operations.
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