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EN
Last week, the head of the British Intelligence Service was seen discussing agent recruitment models at the British Consulate General in Istanbul. Looking at open sources, the invitation titled “A Talk on National Security” mentions that a system aimed at recruiting informants through a web portal called “Silent Courier” was discussed with media representatives from different sectors. While it was stated that the primary target audience was Russian citizens, it was also mentioned that they addressed the global community.
It is certainly significant that the British intelligence service has disclosed, in an unusual manner in Istanbul, a method of gathering information from individuals who may be sympathetic to them, as part of a new digital project. However, it is also necessary to examine what aspects of this situation might be significant.
First, let's look at the technical aspects of the job.
The acquisition of informants through a digital platform such as the “Silent Courier” portal can be thought of as a modern version of traditional field agent work. It appears that the goal is to turn many people into sources of information using a low-risk method.
They will create a swamp with the digital platform in question and ensure that as many mosquitoes as possible are gathered, and/or they will direct selected mosquitoes with this digital communication system, which they consider to be low risk. However, this task may not be as easy as it seems when considered using an “online” method, i.e., remotely, without face-to-face contact.
In any case, it seems they are designing one of the methods they will use in the intelligence gathering phase as a public but encrypted human intelligence (HUMINT) model. But is this alone sufficient? Of course not. A separate design will also be required for the training, confidentiality, security, control, and evaluation of the target individuals. The risk of disinformation must also be taken into account. On the other hand, human intelligence may not always yield accurate results unless it is supported by different intelligence sources and methods. Therefore, they will also need different verification channels.
Considering the statements made at the consulate, their intentions are not entirely clear in terms of intelligence. Are they trying out a different method of gathering sources and information as part of a new and general intelligence production model against Russia? Or are they aiming to strengthen the human intelligence network within the existing intelligence system? It is difficult to understand at this stage. To do so, one needs to know their game plan. Because it is a general rule that there is no intelligence without a plan.
These are their own problems, of course...
Let's leave the technical aspect of the issue aside for now and examine another side of the matter.
Even though we are allies at present, it is strange to hear how a country that brought Lawrence and Major Noel to our doorstep nearly a century ago will select new spy candidates in Istanbul. Even if they prioritize Russian citizens as their target audience, is there any guarantee of this? Of course not. Immediately afterwards, the target audience is broadened to include the whole world.
In that case, why was Istanbul chosen for the announcement instead of London or another foreign center?
The British intelligence chief explains the answer to this question with reasons such as “...Turkiye's geopolitical importance...” and “...Turkiye's critical importance in terms of the international system...” However, it is clear that these answers do not provide a justification for the Silent Courier's launch in Istanbul. These are rather clichéd and forced answers... Even if the explanations are diplomatic, the justifications do not appear consistent.
At the outset of his speech, the intelligence chief frames his new policy as “being more open in order to remain covert.” Yet this creates a situation where the intention is transparent but the rationale opaque. With characteristic British politeness—seeking to be both discreet and forthcoming—one must also reckon with the potentially provocative consequences.
They may want to exploit Turkiye's regional proximity to conflict zones and the migration it receives from these areas. In this context, the open promotion of an intelligence method they would use for this purpose appears to be an abuse of the diplomatic sphere. They should have known better. We also do not yet know whether this statement was made with the knowledge of Turkish authorities.
There may be those who think more moderately. You could even consider this as public intelligence diplomacy. But that is not the case. If they had only conducted strategic intelligence analysis and assessment on a country/countries or regional basis, this could have been seen as an acceptable situation.
In conclusion, even if it is a launch, attempting to turn Turkiye into a center of intelligence rivalry will not benefit anyone. Such initiatives are likely to further increase the security concerns of Russia, which is at war with Ukraine, and could also damage Turkiye's relations.
The real world is not like Bond movies. In a country that has been trying to maintain international balance in its region, and that cracked the code of “Bylock” and similar communication networks before and after July 15, promoting The Silent Courier was a poor choice on their part.
References:
“Speech by Sir Richard Moore, Chief of SIS, 19 September 2025,” GOV.UK, September 19, 2025, https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/speech-by-sir-richard-moore-chief-of-sis-19-september-2025 (Accessed September 28, 2025).
Ergin, Sedat. “The Secret Service Chief’s Istanbul Farewell Filled with Messages on LGBT, Russia, and Agent Recruitment,” Oksijen, September 21, 2025. (Accessed September 22, 2025).
“Why Did the British Intelligence Chief Deliver His Farewell Speech in Istanbul?” BBC Türkçe, September 19, 2025, https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/c9wdy1jk9x9o (Accessed September 27, 2025).
“The Number of Russians Living in Turkiye Halved Between 2023 and 2025,” Ekonomim, August 13, 2025, https://www.ekonomim.com/gundem/turkiyede-yasayan-rus-sayisi-2023ten-2025e-yari-yariya-azaldi-haberi-836679 (Accessed September 28, 2025).
Translator: Nilüfer Şen
