MI6 tops European foreign intelligence ranking in peer review

MI6 has been declared Europe's most powerful foreign intelligence service, outranking France's DGSE and the Netherlands' service, according to a peer review.

The British intelligence agency secured 251 points in the research, with 60 professionals from 25 countries commending its expertise in recruiting high-level informants and penetrating the ruling elites in Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey. France's General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) followed in second place with 169 points, recognized for its global reach and operational capability.

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The British are in the lead on the Ukrainian file. We are right behind them.

The Netherlands, Ukraine, and Germany rounded out the top five, while Slovakia's service was rated the lowest. Britain was notably the first to warn Ukraine about the potential for the Russian invasion in February 2022 and has remained a staunch ally to Kyiv.

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The United Kingdom has by far the strongest secret services in Europe. MI6 is extraordinary.

Former CIA officials lauded MI6's capabilities. "The British are in the lead on the Ukrainian file. We are right behind them," said Ralph Goff, a former chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia at the CIA. Robert Gorelick, a former CIA station chief, added, "The United Kingdom has by far the strongest secret services in Europe. MI6 is extraordinary."

Last year, Blaise Metreweli became the first woman to lead MI6. A former head of the DGSE noted the British agency's "ability to play the long game, investing in sources over a 10-year horizon, somewhat like the Russians. And they have a taste for dirty tricks." The DGSE itself was recognized for its counter-terrorism efforts and clandestine operations.

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The British have the ability to play the long game, investing in sources over a 10-year horizon, somewhat like the Russians. And they have a taste for dirty tricks.