The Rest Is Politics: Leading 132. Former Head of MI6: Russia, China, and Trump (Sir Alex Younger)
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May 4, 2025 
Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, offers a compelling insight into the world of intelligence and its evolving challenges. He delves into the complexities of national security in a digital age and the shifting dynamics of Britain’s role in global affairs. Younger discusses the impact of U.S. withdrawal from international support and rising threats from Russia and China. He also reflects on moral responsibility in espionage and shares personal anecdotes that illuminate the nuanced relationship between politicians and intelligence services.
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Digitalization Transformed Intelligence
- Digitalization upended secrecy, disrupting traditional intelligence operations.
- This forced intelligence agencies to adopt hybrid techniques and operate more openly in complex environments.
Spy Family Secret Revealed
- Sir Alex Younger told his mother and wife he was a spy, breaking family secrecy norms.
- His mother was also a spy, creating a revealing moment of family honesty and shared profession.
Speak Truth to Power
- Intelligence services must empathize with leaders' goals but maintain independent moral judgment.
- Officers must courageously speak truth to power to avoid intelligence failures.