HAPPENING NOW:
How MI6 Cultivated British Media on Iraq’s Non-Existent WMD
Germany Arrests 25 People Suspected of Plotting to Overthrow ‘Deep State’ Government
Pakistan’s Deep State: New Army Chief Named Amid Political Drama
Talking Nukes: CIA Chief Meets With Russian Counterpart in Turkey
UAE Meddled in U.S. Political System, Intelligence Report Says
Admit We Have Nukes, Top Israeli Military Figure Says
A Bold New Look at China’s Audacious Spies
The Most Dangerous Day in History
CIA Thought Putin Would Quickly Conquer Ukraine
MuckRock’s Guide to Getting Your Own FBI File
Russian Mercenary Chief Vented to Putin Over Ukraine War
The National Security Act Turns 75
Behind Zelensky’s Security Shakeup
Pegasus Project: What Has Happened Since the Revelations About Israeli Spyware
DHS Scrambles to Counter Violent Extremism in America
Iran Detains Former British Diplomat Collecting Soil Samples
Saudi Intelligence Agency Runs 20 Secret Prisons, Activists Say
The Unmasking of Agent Z9A
Haspel Personally Observed CIA Waterboarding, Witness Testifies
Turkey: National Intelligence Office (MIT)
Available Languages:
Ataturk’s Agency
The founder of modern-day Turkey, Mustafa Kamal Ataturk, created the country’s intelligence service in 1925. In 1985, the agency was renamed National Intelligence Office, Millî İstihbarat Teşkilatı (MİT) and placed under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s office.
Turkey’s struggle with the Kurdish minority within its borders often defines its allies or foes in the international intelligence community. MIT has maintained a strong intelligence relationship with the American CIA since the 1950s.
The MIT also collaborates with a variety of countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan, and Singapore. Relations with many European countries are difficult. This is partially due to Europe’s refusal to recognize the Kurdistan Workers’ Party as a terrorist organization.
In Syria MIT has supported Islamic State fighters who are fighting to overthrow the government. According to multiple credible news reports, Turkey has provided ISIS with weapons, training and medical help in their war against President Bashar al-Assad, a hated rival of President Erdogan.
Another MIT target is Fethullah Gulen, the leader of a clandestine political movement, who lives in the United States. Turkish President Erdogan blamed Gulen and his supporters for a failed coup in July 2016. The coup was considered an intelligence failure. President Erdogan told Al Jazeera that he learned of the coup, not from MIT, but his brother-in-law.
The long-time head of MIT is Hakan Fidan whom Erdogan calls “Turkey’s Secret Keeper.” Fidan paid a “very unusual” visit to Washington in December 2018 in an unsuccessful effort to secure Gulen’s extradition.
The MIT budget in 2017 was an estimated 2 billion Turkish lira (approximately $371 million).
Resources
- MIT website (In English)
- The 2016 Coup (Al Jazeera)