Sabah Newspaper News Coordinator Abdurrahman Şimşek penned an analysis on the visibly changing and evolving paradigm of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in recent years. Şimşek prepared a detailed analysis of the increasing operational power of MIT under President Erdoğan’s term, when he referred to Hakan Fidan as his “mystery box,” and its global reflections under the leadership of his successor, İbrahim Kalın.
Why has the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) become so operationally visible in the Middle East and the world in terms of strategic intelligence, technical intelligence, signal intelligence, and human intelligence?
While discussing intelligence with my experienced journalist friend Ürün Dirier, who is passionate about cyber intelligence and artificial intelligence, he suddenly brought up MIT’s recent military and intelligence successes. But he had an intriguing question: “Abdurrahman, why is an MIT director so visible? This wasn’t the case before! We didn’t even know Hakan Fidan’s voice.”
The new intelligence chief’s unusual diplomatic engagements seemed odd to Ürün…
I decided to write this article. I wanted it to address not only my journalist friend Ürün Dirier but also others who think like him and are curious. The question marks in people’s minds were quite clear to me. However, I thought it necessary to write about this as a journalist who has been working on intelligence issues for 20 years. It’s essential to understand MIT Director İbrahim Kalın a bit and analyze his background.
The new head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), İbrahim Kalın, who can be described as a diplomatic genius, is an experienced high-level international bureaucrat… You might find my calling him a “genius” exaggerated. But I’m talking about a bureaucrat who has spent the last decade working closely with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He has always been part of Erdoğan’s brain trust. So, who is this brain trust?
- Hasan Doğan
- Hakan Fidan
- İbrahim Kalın
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with this brain trust, has overcome critical processes such as:
- The February 7 MIT conspiracy,
- The December 17-25 judicial and police conspiracy,
- The July 15 FETÖ military coup attempt.
The mastermind Erdoğan once called Hakan Fidan his “mystery box.” So, what made him a mystery box? Was it being the head of intelligence? Then we can emphasize this: With the change of guard in intelligence, the new mystery box is Kalın…
INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY
In this article prepared for SABAH readers, I will analyze the definition and importance of intelligence diplomacy and the intelligence concept of the “New Turkey” in international relations. Both cooperation and competition in interstate intelligence, MIT’s strategically accelerated development, and the seeding period of foreign intelligence, the Foreign Operations Directorate’s (DOB) silent overseas activities continue rapidly. MIT’s intelligence operations have significantly increased following the major transformation it underwent after 2010 under Hakan Fidan. Within the framework of regional and global alliances, MIT’s increasingly prominent role in foreign policy, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and hybrid threats has led to a noticeable increase in international service collaborations. Turkey’s foreign policy has particularly highlighted special operational activities in Syria, Iraq, Libya, the Caucasus, and Africa.
SOMALIA-ETHIOPIA CONFLICT PREVENTED
Within the framework of strategic relations in Africa, geopolitical assessments on the African continent have been revised. The results of this were seen when the presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia, on the brink of war, signed a peace agreement in Ankara under the leadership of our President. What was once known as “backdoor diplomacy” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has now been replaced by hybrid intelligence diplomacy with MIT’s increasing effectiveness. During Hakan Fidan’s 13-year tenure, MIT’s operational power has grown every day. The active role of intelligence diplomacy in relations with NATO, the EU, and the Organization of Turkic States; modern intelligence diplomacy and future perspectives; strategic intelligence, artificial intelligence, and the rise of open-source intelligence (OSINT) have brought about a new world order. MIT’s strategic priorities under Director İbrahim Kalın, who has only been in office for 1.5 years, have already created a significant impact on the organization. His academic background, strategic and analytical thinking, and diplomatic moves in Turkey’s security intelligence and foreign policy have enabled him to play decisive roles in global politics.
İBRAHİM KALIN AND THE SHAPING OF INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY
İbrahim Kalın is a mastermind known for his academic work in philosophy and international relations. He has focused for years on geopolitics, East-West relations, and Turkish foreign policy, developing a series of strategic planning based not only on operational support but also on strategic intelligence for the head of state. Having served as Presidential Spokesperson and Security Policy Advisor for many years, he has always played an active role behind the scenes in MIT’s international diplomatic moves.
KALIN’S STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
If we analyze İbrahim Kalın’s opening speech at the MIT Academy in terms of how much importance he places on “Intelligence Diplomacy,” it is possible to observe and read his strategic goals for the future. MIT Director İbrahim Kalın’s speech at the opening of the National Intelligence Academy contains important goals for Turkey’s understanding of intelligence diplomacy. Kalın’s emphasis on “combining theory with practice,” “producing local concept sets,” “increasing international collaborations,” and “adapting to new technologies” presents a strategic framework for how Turkey will shape its intelligence diplomacy in the future.
A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY IN TURKEY
Kalın’s statement, “We will hybridize theory with field practice, conceptual thinking with application,” means that intelligence diplomacy will no longer be limited to field operations but will also be supported by strategic analyses, academic research, and conceptual frameworks.
INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY ALSO INCREASED
In this context: MIT aims to play a more effective role among global intelligence services not only by increasing its operational capacity but also by enhancing its intellectual capacity. Turkey can develop international collaborations in the short term by supporting intelligence diplomacy not only from a security policy perspective but also with academic and strategic analyses. By building a new “intelligence model” through intelligence diplomacy, it can adopt a national approach independent of Western-centric intelligence theories.
LOCAL CONCEPT SETS AND GLOBAL SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
Kalın’s statement, “We will produce our own concept sets,” emphasizes that Turkey’s intelligence diplomacy will no longer depend on Western-centric concepts and theories. This means: MIT, without being guided by Western intelligence organizations, will develop a new diplomatic language in line with its own paradigm, geopolitical realities, and strategic priorities. Within the scope of intelligence diplomacy, a more effective global and regional communication network can be established in the Turkish and Islamic world.
MIT IS EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD
Turkey can become a more independent and effective actor among international intelligence services. I can say that while MIT’s old headquarters didn’t even have proper rooms to sit in, today we are talking about an organization with a global intelligence headquarters. With over 30,000 personnel, MIT can strategically analyze not only our region but every point in the world, compiling information from the countries where they operate to produce policies that shape Turkey’s future. In this context, intelligence collaborations in the Turkic World, the Middle East, and Africa can become the cornerstone of Turkey’s new intelligence diplomacy.
FRENCH INTELLIGENCE PARALYZED IN AFRICA
Turkey can use the MIT Academy as a diplomatic tool to spread its own intelligence school and strategic culture globally. Students from friendly and allied countries, adopting Turkey’s intelligence understanding, can collaborate with Turkish intelligence in their own countries in the future. This approach can turn intelligence diplomacy into a multi-layered Turkish intelligence model supported not only by interstate collaborations but also by academic and cultural interactions. This strategy, thanks to intelligence collaborations developed with the Organization of Turkic States, Africa, and Middle Eastern countries, has today virtually paralyzed French intelligence on the African continent. French stationed armies have begun to dismantle their military bases one by one.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND CYBER INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY TO BE INTEGRATED
Kalın’s emphasis on “artificial intelligence and data analytics, cybersecurity and cryptography, satellite and space warfare technologies” shows that Turkey’s intelligence diplomacy is already turning into a technology-based structure. In this context: Turkey has reached a considerable level in cyber intelligence and information espionage on the international stage. It has succeeded in strengthening diplomatic relations by increasing inter-service collaborations within a “win-win” framework. Cybersecurity diplomacy, especially in platforms like NATO and the Organization of Turkic States, under İbrahim Kalın, who took over the flag from Hakan Fidan, is something I believe will increase Turkey’s diplomatic influence. I think MIT will rapidly rise in the next five years to become a stronger actor in global threat analyses with big data analytics and AI-based intelligence reporting. These developments clearly show that Turkey will not only compete globally with traditional classical intelligence methods but also with cybersecurity national defense strategies alongside intelligence diplomacy.
To elaborate on the above lines, the diplomatic and strategic meanings are as follows: Turkey’s foreign policy and security concern strategies will be grounded on a more solid foundation with strategic analyses shaping our intelligence-based future. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, and other public security institutions will be able to take a stronger position in international negotiations by making more use of the intelligence analyses provided by MIT. Turkey can develop a new proactive intelligence school that optimizes information sharing across the entire state mechanism, not just through secret service collaborations.
WITH THE FORMER MIT UNDERSECRETARY IN BEBEK
For instance, the “Turkish School” can be added to the level of concepts known as the Anglo-Saxon School (British-American), the German School, and the Russian School in intelligence. Years ago, we had a meeting with Sönmez Köksal, one of MIT’s first civilian undersecretaries, at the Bebek Hotel in Istanbul. He stated that Turkish intelligence could not train intelligence agents at the level of James Bond. And he thought reaching these levels was very difficult. At that time, the MIT undersecretary was Emre Taner. I can never forget that conversation with Sönmez Bey at the Bebek Hotel. Because he thought MIT would never reach the level of the British Secret Intelligence Service MI6. He didn’t give much chance for James Bonds to emerge from our MIT. But shortly after that conversation, Hakan Fidan first became MIT Deputy Undersecretary and then MIT Undersecretary. After Hakan Fidan’s successful 13-year tenure, the success graph has continued to rise significantly every day under İbrahim Kalın.
IF YOU BELIEVE, YOU CAN SUCCEED
It hasn’t been more than 15 years since Sönmez Köksal said, “Abdurrahman, we won’t get any James Bonds from our MIT.” If we look at it from the perspective of state history, we can see how short this period is. I especially want to emphasize this. If you believe, you can succeed… I like Mr. Köksal very much. My aim is not to criticize him at all. But it is necessary to point out a fact. The MIT undersecretaries of that period must definitely add something to their organization. If you look with envy at other services, unfortunately, you cannot bring success to your own service. As a journalist curious about intelligence issues, I can say this; Hakan Fidan has significantly advanced the organization in one way or another during his 13-year challenging marathon. The new Organization Head Kalın has also completed 1.5 years in office. I have full faith that he will run the full field for many years for the organization. This shows that Turkey’s goals, pursued with belief, will lead to the formation of a “Integrated Intelligence Diplomacy” model, hybridizing security and diplomacy policies.
CONCLUSION: THE İBRAHİM KALIN ERA IN MIT’S INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY
These developments show that Turkey is progressing towards becoming a global actor in the intelligence diplomacy of the 21st century and has developed an integrated strategy covering all areas from security to foreign policy. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has been conducting a more active intelligence diplomacy in parallel with global and regional developments in recent years. With the appointment of İbrahim Kalın as MIT Director, the organization’s effectiveness in the field of diplomacy has increased as much as its operational power. This brings us back to the issue initially questioned by Journalist Ürün Dirier: MIT Director İbrahim Kalın’s presence at the center of more active foreign policies has made this situation remarkable. Because the era of an introverted intelligence organization is over. MIT’s proactive new regional mobility has even caught the attention of my journalist friend. Now, I will share with you the results achieved as a result of the intense activities of the National Intelligence Organization;
MIT’S INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East, at the center of Turkey’s security policies, is one of the regions where intelligence diplomacy is most intensively used. MIT shapes our regional balance policies through direct or indirect contacts with Syria, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Gulf countries.
INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY WITH ISRAEL
Although there have been periodic tensions in relations between Turkey and Israel, communication on critical issues has never been cut off through intelligence diplomacy. Especially the Gaza and Palestine issue, Hamas-Tel Aviv relations, and regional security collaborations are the areas where MIT Director İbrahim Kalın is most experienced. Covert contacts have occasionally been established with Israeli intelligence. But since 2021, MIT has made open operations against the Mossad for the first time in the world with counter-espionage operations, making a significant leap in the world’s secret services league.
IRAN INTELLIGENCE POLICY
In relations between Turkey and Iran, regional competition is as prominent as cooperation. Iran’s efforts to increase Shiite influence in the region through the Revolutionary Guards have led Turkey to make its intelligence diplomacy more active. Operations against PKK/YPG and Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi militia groups are conducted while diplomatic cooperation is maintained, and passive intelligence wars occur between intelligence services.
MIT’S OPERATIONAL AND DIPLOMATIC ROLE IN SYRIA AND IRAQ
Pinpoint operations against PKK/YPG and ISIS in Syria require keeping diplomatic channels open. In Iraq, MIT aims to weaken the PKK’s presence in the region by developing collaborations with local tribes.
MIT’S INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY IN THE TURKIC WORLD
Intelligence collaborations within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) are among MIT’s regional priorities. Deepening Intelligence Cooperation with Azerbaijan; After the Karabakh Military Victory, intelligence coordination between MIT and the Azerbaijani State Security Service (DTX) has been strengthened to a high level. Joint defense mechanisms have been established against Iran’s intelligence activities in Azerbaijan. Joint intelligence policies have been determined against the Iranian secret intelligence service, and regional cooperation has been established.
INTELLIGENCE STRATEGIES IN CENTRAL ASIA
Intelligence collaborations have been increased in the fight against FETÖ in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. Additionally, new mechanisms are being established to balance the intelligence influence of China, Russia, and Iran in the region.
MIT’S INTELLIGENCE DIPLOMACY IN AFRICA
While Turkey increases its political and economic influence on the African continent, it supports this process with intelligence diplomacy. MIT’s Intelligence Activities in Libya; During the civil war process in Libya, MIT provided intelligence support to the elements supported by Turkey and led successful intelligence-based operations against Haftar forces. Turkey has now become a stakeholder in the African mainland with these strategic intelligence operations. MIT’s Role in Somalia and Sudan; Intelligence collaborations against the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab in Somalia have deepened. Diplomatic intelligence mechanisms have been operated to protect Turkey’s interests during the political changes in Sudan.
CYBER INTELLIGENCE
Cyber intelligence, combating disinformation, and AI-supported analyses will become an integral part of modern intelligence diplomacy…
TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE AND AI-SUPPORTED STRATEGIES
MIT has increased its Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) capacity to become more effective in digital information wars. The development of domestic software has become a priority in cyber attacks and information security issues. Turkey’s Psychological Warfare Strategies; MIT is expected to strengthen social media-based intelligence operations and effectively use psychological warfare techniques in global operations.
MIT’S GLOBAL AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION
Under the leadership of İbrahim Kalın, MIT is transforming intelligence diplomacy into a model based not only on security but also on diplomacy. I firmly believe that Turkey will become a more effective actor in global power balances by using intelligence diplomacy.
Abdurrahman Şimşek / SABAH
