The impact of global media perceptions of Turkey’s intelligence and security approach towards the Syrian conflict

Abstract

Much of the discussion surrounding the Syrian Conflict has focussed on the militants on the ground and the international response, yet the important role of neighbouring intelligence agencies, such as the Turkey’s MIT, has been neglected. This paper will demonstrate how the global media have portrayed the MIT as Ankara’s key tool in achieving their regional geopolitical objectives. Such reports have detailed a variety of tactics used by Ankara and the MIT, from a clandestine approach of supplying certain rebel and extremist anti-Assad groups with arms and funding to the membership of an international coalition against Assad and extremist groups, all being coordinated simultaneously. In addition to media reports, these assertions are supported by two leaked conversations between top Turkish intelligence, military, and political figures and numerous useful eyewitness accounts from an array of militants, political opposition members, local populations and those accused of complicity in some of the alleged acts. By beginning to focus on Turkey’s intelligence and security approach towards the Syrian Conflict through these initial media and non-governmental accounts, it can be hoped that a clearer picture can be provided to scholars and political agencies on the motives and tactics used by Turkey as a regional actor. This will also pave the way for further analysis to determine more comprehensively the official role played by Turkey’s intelligence and security agencies vis-a-vis Syria.