Technology, Organization, and the Militarization of Intelligence: The Turkish Experience

Advances in targeting technology have increasingly militarized intelligence agencies, positioning them at the forefront of unconventional conflicts such as counterterrorism. The National Intelligence Agency (MİT)’s role in counterterrorism can be studied within this context. Accordingly, this article aims to examine the underlying factors that have contributed to the militarization of intelligence activities, focusing on MİT. This transformation has been elucidated through the variables of technology and organization. The transformation was initiated by the advent of drone technology and reinforced by the introduction of novel organizational structures and mission statements. During this period, a new conceptualization of intelligence emerged, whereby intelligence and operations were unified under a single mission definition and tactical intelligence priorities assumed a greater significance. The technological and organizational transformation also impacted the MİT, which underwent a process of increasing militarization after 2019 and became a pivotal actor in Türkiye’s counterterrorism operations against PKK/KCK.