The National Intelligence Organization, which is an extension of the “National Security Services” the foundation of which was announced on January 06, 1927 as a result of the experiences gained by various organizations with significant contributions to the conduct of the National Struggle for Liberation, has, up to now, continuously maintained and tried to advance its determination to fulfill, in the most efficient way, its obligation “to protect the national interests of the State and to struggle against those activities which threaten the integrity of the Republic of Turkey and the unity of the Turkish Nation” without compromising the principle of “fulfilling its legal responsibilities in complete impartiality” .

It is a well-known fact that the world has been in a process of substantial change for the last fifteen years. Certain changes are occurring in the balances of power in the international system, which are not accepted easily, and the number of the new regional powers running for global rivalry is increasing. In addition, while the transnational terrorist activities are on the increase at global level, the armament competition is gaining acceleration, the regional disputes are threatening peace, and the separated/collapsed states are giving rise to uncontrolled ethnic groups and complex security problems. According to the adverse scenarios of our experts, by the year 2035, there is a risk of at least twenty more countries especially in the regions of crisis to obtain nuclear weapons; a significant number of countries might enter a process of disintegration and almost two billion people are expected to get affected by this process; and the most important consequence of this process of disintegration will be an increase in the number of regions where there will be no state control and organized crime networks will step up their activities. At the same time, it is known that there are about 9,900 religious groups in the world which preserve their own religious identities, and some of these groups increasingly adopt a further militant structure. As a matter of fact, it is evident that terrorism with a religious, ethnic or ideological origin is in a dynamic process that develops, grows and undergoes changes within itself as a historical phenomenon. It is a well-known fact that new capabilities created by technological developments have accelerated terrorism as well as the globalization process and even helped change the dimensions of terrorism.

On the other hand, it seems that this process of change at an unbelievable pace and scope entered by the international system has turned intelligence into a more complex and risky as well as flexible and opportunist form. The explosion of information created by the spread of the information networks all over the world has rendered the decision-makers not less but more dependent on the information brokers; and the distinction between collection and analysis is getting increasingly obscure. Along with this transformation, intelligence has turned out to be belonging to the world of information, as well as to the world of secrets. The mentioned situation has necessitated the intelligence services to deal not only with secrets but also with information and to work not only with documents but also with experts.

Therefore, given the fact that without information, it is not possible to reach the manpower that will produce and evaluate the information, it will not be wrong to suggest that “information” is the most important asset of our era. However, one must remember that information is not necessarily a positive concept which is always used for the development of mankind and for the improvement of the living quality. Information is one of the most important weapons which those having specific views and goals use against others in forcing their interests and getting them under their control in economic, political or military terms when necessary. For this reason, it should not be considered an exaggeration that today and in the future, those countries which do not have any information, which cannot produce information and which limit themselves to the information provided by others, are/will be among those directed, not those that direct or will direct.

It is obvious that the level of information of the past will not be sufficient for the future’s world. As one author put it, “If you know the present time well, you can control the future”. From now on, we must figure out what we should know in the 21st century. As Great Leader ATATURK had said, “We cannot just close our eyes and suppose that we are living alone. We cannot take our country into a circle and continue to live ignorant of the world. On the contrary, we will live above a network of civilization as a developed and civilized nation.” To this end, we will sustain our intensified efforts to make an efficient use of “intelligence” which is the most effective way of having and obtaining the “accurate information”, the biggest power of the 21st century. As a matter of fact, intelligence is intended for the future and it aims to inform and guide the decision-making mechanisms. In this respect, intelligence services must produce foresights, adopt strategies, collect the intelligence to serve these aims and carry out intelligence activities also in order to prevent the problems as well as to solve the problems. Thus, we will continue to develop our future work and structural arrangements in a dynamic process and to increase our capabilities.

No doubt every state has to ensure the welfare, security and future of its people. At this stage, the first obligation of the institutions is to ensure the security of our country and to prepare the future of our children. In this regard, the National Intelligence Organization is determined and firm to fulfill its obligation in a perfect manner with this consciousness. The National Intelligence Organization, established 85 years ago, will continue with its devoted efforts today and in the future, as it had done in the past, for the unity, solidarity and indivisible integrity of our country as the guarantee of our national security and interests.