Turkey’s Shadow Diplomacy: Intelligence Networks Boosting Global Influence

DID Press: Turkey is quietly reshaping its global position through intelligence networks and covert diplomacy, signaling a strategic shift in Washington’s view of Ankara as a nontraditional, intelligence-driven power with far-reaching influence.

The recent meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump was more than ceremonial. Observers note that Trump’s emphasis on the “savvy” of Turkey’s intelligence chief Hakan Fidan and presidential advisor Ibrahim Kalın reflects Washington’s recognition of Ankara not merely as a regional ally, but as a player capable of global impact.

Turkey’s influence extends beyond military strength or leadership charisma. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has become the engine of Ankara’s “shadow diplomacy,” with operations stretching from Africa to Latin America, prompting Europe to reconsider Turkey’s strategic role against the Eastern bloc.

This approach draws on centuries-old Ottoman intelligence traditions, where complex networks of spies and local agents shaped decisions across European courts. Modern Turkish intelligence, inheriting this legacy, uses social, geographic, and tribal knowledge to convert tactical setbacks into strategic gains, as seen historically in Libya, Gallipoli, and during the post-World War II Cold War era.

The West’s recognition of Turkey’s capabilities is visible on the battlefield and in diplomacy: the decisive use of Bayraktar drones in Ukraine and Ibrahim Kalın’s visit to Damascus after Assad’s fall underscore Ankara’s leverage. A dense network of diplomats, security advisors, and semi-covert operatives positions Turkey as an indispensable actor in backchannel negotiations with Tehran and in countering Russian influence in the Black Sea region. Deep ties with Circassian and Crimean Tatar communities further enhance Turkey’s geopolitical reach.

Turkey’s intelligence renaissance illustrates a new model of indirect power: influence built not on tanks and fighter jets, but on knowledge, networks, and invisible action. Ignoring this reality could lead to costly miscalculations in shaping the future global order.

Source: Asharq Al-Awsat