In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the history and operations of MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence service. Starting with its origins in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau, the episode traces how MI6's first chief, Sir Mansfield Cumming, established many of the organization's foundational practices and spy techniques that would influence intelligence gathering for decades to come.
The hosts detail MI6's evolution through major historical periods, including both World Wars and the Cold War, where the organization worked alongside the CIA and developed sophisticated recruitment strategies. The discussion extends to modern challenges faced by MI6, including its public accountability under the 1994 Intelligence Services Act, controversies surrounding the Iraq War intelligence, and its adaptation to technological changes in espionage.
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MI6, Britain's foreign intelligence service, was established in the early 1900s in response to fears of German espionage. The organization began as the Secret Service Bureau in 1909, which would later split into MI5 and MI6.
Sir Mansfield Cumming, MI6's first chief, shaped the organization's culture and methods through his innovative approach to espionage. Known for his experimental nature, Cumming developed various spy techniques, including the use of invisible ink and disguises. His personal traditions, such as signing documents with a green-inked 'C', became enduring organizational practices.
During World War I, MI6 established crucial intelligence networks, with notable successes including intelligence gathered by Cyril Mills, a circus director who provided valuable information about German aircraft factories. In World War II, while human intelligence networks took time to rebuild, MI6 excelled in signal intelligence at Bletchley Park.
The Cold War era saw MI6 working closely with the CIA, though under different legal frameworks. The organization recruited agents using the "MICE" strategy (Money, Ideology, Coercion, Ego). MI6 agent Oleg Gordievsky provided critical intelligence that helped prevent Cold War escalation by advising Western leaders about Soviet concerns.
The 1994 Intelligence Services Act officially recognized MI6 and provided legal protection for its agents. The organization modernized by relocating to a high-security headquarters on the Thames and transitioning to public recruitment methods.
In the early 2000s, MI6 faced criticism for providing flawed intelligence leading up to the Iraq War, including unverified claims about weapons of mass destruction. Today, the organization grapples with technological challenges, particularly in traditional human intelligence gathering. In response, MI6 is exploring new methods, including the use of artificial intelligence for predictive analysis of human behavior.
1-Page Summary
The impetus behind the formation of MI6 in the early 1900s was a pervasive fear in Great Britain of German espionage. This anxiety was largely incited by the stories of William Lequeu, who touted the notion that Britain was riddled with German spies. In response to this perceived threat, the Secret Service Bureau was founded.
This early Secret Service Bureau, which would eventually split into MI5 and MI6, was established not only to conduct intelligence operations but also to provide a level of plausible deniability for government officials who were engaged in espionage tasks.
Sir Mansfield Cumming became the first chief of MI6. Starting the organization as an almost one-man operation, Cumming was not only a spy but a developer of spycraft who initiated timeless intelligence techniques such as invisible ink and disguises.
Cumming's interest in spycraft was profound, demonstrated by his experimentation with invisible ink and the creation of disguises. Extraordinarily, he discovered that semen could serve as an effective form of invisible ink that would not be detected by standard methods. However, this method was not without its drawbacks, as evidenced by an episode in Copenhagen where a bottled stock used for writing letters began to emit an unpleasant smell, which led to a recommendation that a fresh supply should be used for each missive.
Cumming was also known for testing his people with disguises to see if they would recognize him, exemplifying his deep engagement with the craft of deception.
The History and Origins of Mi6
Throughout the world wars and the Cold War, Mi6 played a crucial role in gathering intelligence and executing covert operations, adapting its practices to meet the challenges of each era.
During World War I, Mi6 established effective intelligence networks and utilized signal intelligence to bolster Britain's strategic efforts.
Sir Cumming, leading Mi6, relied on sources within Germany, like an informant known as B who reported on naval activities. Additionally, circus director Cyril Bertram Mills worked for MI6, utilizing his business as cover for covert missions. His aerial observation of aircraft factories in Germany provided valuable intel on the Luftwaffe, influencing Winston Churchill's opposition to appeasing Hitler. MI6's intelligence work made evident the necessity of an organization like MI6 for Britain's security.
In World War II, MI6 took some time to rebuild human intelligence networks in Europe but succeeded in generating substantial intelligence from occupied countries. They particularly excelled at signal intelligence at Bletchley Park, notably in code-breaking activities against Germany's Enigma machine.
MI6 began diversifying into wider roles and capabilities, employing women in capacities beyond clerical work, exemplified by Kathleen Pettigrew's influence. Her role may hint at MI6's expansion into research and development, akin to activities that inspired Ian Fleming's character Q in the James Bond novels.
Josh Clark points out how during the Cold War, MI6 agent Oleg Gordievsky provided insights into the Soviet government and military mindset. Gordievsky's intel led MI6 to advise Thatcher and Reagan to moderate aggressive rhetoric that alarmed the Soviets. This information was instrumental in avoiding escalation, potentially preventing a Soviet preemptive strike. Gordievsky ultimately defected and was protected by MI6, spending the remainder of his life in Great Britain.
Mi6's Intelligence and Covert Ops in World Wars and Cold War
In the modern era, MI6 has undergone significant changes to increase transparency, bureaucracy, and its legal framework, while also grappling with technology and security challenges.
The 1994 Intelligence Services Act officially acknowledged MI6's existence and established a legal framework for its operations. Particularly noteworthy is Section 7 of the act, which some interpreted as providing a "license to kill" because it indicated that MI6 agents committing crimes abroad that would be prosecutable in the UK could not be held liable.
In a move towards modernization, MI6 started publicly announcing their chief and shifted headquarters to a new, highly secure location on the Thames, a building designed by Terry Farrell. This building demonstrated its resilience by sustaining minimal damage from an IRA-fired anti-tank rocket in September 2000. Alongside these changes, MI6 transitioned from clandestine recruitment practices to public job listings and background checks.
Beginning in the early 2000s, leading up to the Iraq War in 2003, MI6 focused on hunting down terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. A significant challenge arose with the dissemination of flawed intelligence that failed proper vetting, contributing to the widespread belief that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction. This misinformation led to the UK and US decision to invade Iraq, under the guise that these non-existent weapons justified the invasion under international law. The dubious nature of some intelligence reports, including an absurd claim that weapons of mass de ...
Mi6's Role and Activities in the Modern Era
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