Britain's MI6 has been ranked as the most powerful foreign intelligence service in Europe, according to a peer review, The Guardian reports. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
According to experts, the British intelligence agency outranked France and the Netherlands to become Europe's most powerful foreign intelligence service. The review involved 60 professionals from 25 countries.
Review Results
According to the review, MI6 scored 251 points and was commended for 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) finished second with 169 points, as reported by The Times.
The Netherlands, Ukraine, and Germany complete the top five, while Slovakia's service was rated the worst.
Expert Opinions
Ralph Goff, a former chief of operations for Europe and Eurasia at the CIA, said: "The British are in the lead on the Ukrainian file. We are right behind them."
Robert Gorelick, a former CIA station chief, added: "The United Kingdom has by far the strongest secret services in Europe. MI6 is extraordinary."
A former head of the DGSE said: "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."
UK's Role in Ukraine
Britain was the first to warn Ukraine about the likelihood of the Russian invasion that began in February 2022, and has been a staunch ally of Kyiv.
MI6 Leadership
Last year, Blaise Metreweli became the first woman to lead MI6, taking over from Sir Richard Moore.
About DGSE
The DGSE, depicted in the French series The Bureau, was rated as one of the world's best in counter-terrorism. The service is renowned for its clandestine operations to "eliminate" people deemed a threat to French security.
François Hollande, the former French president, spoke publicly about ordering at least 40 operations to assassinate "high value" targets in the Middle East and Africa, according to a 2017 book.
A Polish intelligence executive told L'Express: "It is the only service in continental Europe with near-global reach. They combine technical collection, human intelligence, and operational action capabilities."
The review was conducted by French magazine L'Express, which contacted people in state intelligence services to rate their counterparts in western-allied countries.