MI6 ranked as Europe’s most powerful intelligence service

A new ranking by the French magazine L’Express has identified the British MI6 as Europe’s most powerful intelligence service. Based on a survey of 60 intelligence professionals from 25 countries, including 17 former or current agency heads, MI6 earned 251 points, significantly outpacing its closest competitor, France’s DGSE, which scored 169 points.

Experts attributed MI6’s top position to its mastery of human intelligence (HUMINT) and its ability to cultivate high-level assets within the political and military elites of nations such as Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey. The service is noted for its capacity to play the “long game,” investing in human sources over decades.

The top five services in the ranking are MI6, France’s DGSE, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Germany. The Dutch intelligence service was highlighted for its expertise regarding Iran’s nuclear program, while Ukrainian intelligence received praise for its rapid adaptation and effectiveness during the ongoing war with Russia.

Other notable mentions include Sweden in sixth place and Poland in ninth. Conversely, the ranking placed Latvian intelligence at the bottom of the 21 assessed nations.