FILE - Richard Moore, the Chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, answers questions in London, England, Nov. 30, 2021, after giving his first public speech since becoming head of the organization. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
Britain’s outgoing spy chief highlights Russia, China and Iran as threats
ISTANBUL (AP) 鈥 The outgoing head of Britain’s foreign intelligence agency on Friday gave a wide-ranging speech on the threats facing the West as he prepares to leave office later this month, highlighting Russia, China, Iran and Islamist terrorism.
FILE - Richard Moore, the Chief of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, also known as MI6, answers questions in London, England, Nov. 30, 2021, after giving his first public speech since becoming head of the organization. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
ISTANBUL (AP) 鈥 The outgoing head of Britain’s foreign intelligence agency on Friday gave a wide-ranging speech on the threats facing the West as he prepares to leave office later this month, highlighting Russia, China, Iran and Islamist terrorism.
Richard Moore, who departs as the head of MI6 after five years, spent a large part of his address in Istanbul but also highlighted China, Iran and counter-terrorism as the agency鈥檚 other priorities.
China
While the U.K. wants a 鈥渞espectful and constructive relationship,鈥 China must stick to the 鈥渆stablished rules of engagement and non-interference,鈥 Moore said, describing the country as one straddling 鈥渢hat dichotomy of opportunity and threat.鈥
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The British government has previously of targeting British officials in politics, defense and business.
Calling out Iran, North Korea and China for their support for Russia鈥檚 war machine, Moore said Chinese diplomatic backing as well as the provision of 鈥渄ual use鈥 electronic components and chemicals had 鈥減revented (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from reaching the conclusion that peace is his best option.鈥
Iran
A nuclear-free Iran, meanwhile, remained a priority, Moore said, warning Tehran against 鈥渂lindly pursuing a strategy that destabilizes their neighborhood and puts them at odds with much of the rest of the world.鈥
The West and Israel have long accused Iran of , a claim Iran denies. Tensions spiked during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, when Israel on Iranian nuclear facilities
Following the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 from the international agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program, Tehran gradually broke away from its commitments and began stepping up its nuclear activities.
The war also derailed Tehran鈥檚 nuclear negotiations with the United States and prompted Iran to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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A reset in the region required a “change of mentality in Tehran, not yet detected in our intelligence,鈥 Moore said.
Islamic State and al-Qaida
Such a reset also required peace in Gaza, he said, calling for an end to 鈥渇urther appalling suffering of innocent Palestinians.鈥
Turning to the Islamic State group and al-Qaida, Moore said they had been damaged but were looking to reestablish themselves while using technology to 鈥渟pread their violent ideologies online.鈥
鈥淕ood partnerships鈥 and leaders who address the root causes of radicalization are necessary to defeat efforts to terrorize, he added.
A new 鈥楥鈥
Moore is to be replaced as 鈥淐,鈥 as the head of MI6 is known, by , who will be the service鈥檚 first female chief. Moore praised her experience, especially as the agency鈥檚 鈥淨,鈥 a position in which she has lead technological innovations in espionage.
Referring to the green ink traditionally used by MI6 chiefs, Moore said he was 鈥渘ow hanging up my cloak, returning my imaginary dagger to its scabbard and handing over my famous green pen.鈥
