The idea that MI6 spies are ranked No 1 is ‘a load of codswallop’, says one of them
A French magazine report recently ranked Britain's MI6 as the top intelligence agency in Europe. The article discusses the strategic importance of British espionage in the context of rising geopolitical tensions with Russia.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of intelligence agencies is critical as global security threats, particularly from Russia, continue to evolve.
The London headquarters of MI6, which was established in 1909 - Spotmatik The French, never famous for over-praising Britain, have recently confirmed what many of us in defence and security have known for years: Britain remains Europe's pre-eminent intelligence and espionage power.
And, with American intelligence warning that Russia could test Nato's resolve within weeks or months, that is not merely flattering. It could prove rather important.
According to reports, US intelligence believes Vladimir Putin could attempt a limited land incursion or unleash cyber-attacks against Eastern Europe between this autumn and 2029. That represents a significant shift from the previous assessment that Putin would be unlikely to attack Nato while still bogged down in Ukraine.
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