Intelligence diplomacy and MİT: the rising role of intelligence services in the contemporary world

Over the past three decades, there has been an increasing interest in the literature regarding international intelligence cooperation. Nevertheless, the subject of intelligence diplomacy remains relatively underexplored. This study examines the concept of intelligence diplomacy through the lenses of sociological theory, placing particular emphasis on the nature and evolution of inter-service collaboration, as well as considering regional power dynamics. The study highlights the significance of social dynamics in elucidating the process of intelligence diplomacy. A range of sociological influences on intelligence diplomacy have been identified, including the shared organisational values of intelligence agencies, the practices of intelligence officers and their directors, historical experiences and ongoing interactions. The case study of prisoner swaps will be utilised to explain intelligence diplomacy. The present paper will thus attempt to explicate the increasing role of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) in intelligence diplomacy in multilateral settings during periods of intensified geopolitical competition.