Counterintelligence

I read in Intelligence Online that France has apparently now definitely refused a visa to a Chinese researcher. He wanted to take part in a seminar on Tibet that was being held in Paris. Reason: This researcher works at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR). Intelligence Online summarises the reasons for this very comprehensibly: „The CICIR is one of Beijing's oldest and most influential institutes for international research studies, which reports directly to the Ministry of State Security (MSS or Guoanbu)and is supervised by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).“ In a Wikipedia entry it is formulated even more viciously and clearly:  "The China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations […] is the cover identity of the 11th Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). It is a set of research institutes used as a front to influence foreign diplomats and academics and collect intelligence. Located in Bei

The Turkish intelligence agencies have various interesting cover organisations and offices in Europe from which they operate. Sometimes these are lobby firms, cultural and language associations, but also think tanks and supposed research institutions. Sometimes they can simply be commercial companies that serve as a cover. In addition, there is a large reservoir of reliable contacts in the diaspora that are always available.  In doing so, the Turkish government is following a successful tactic that has been observed for some time in other states - both enemy and friendly: The structural and geographical outsourcing of intelligence resources and capacities in order to operate effectively from there, i.e. another location. This not only involves outsourcing to non-state actors , but also the relocation of employees of a state intelligence service. This takes them out of the public or media spotlight. In addition - and this applies to Turkey in particular - individual representatives of t