President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan selected İbrahim Kalın to lead the National Intelligence Organization, known by its Turkish acronym MIT. The development was reported by Anatolia, following indications that Kalın would assume the top role in Turkey’s intelligence community.
The announcement stated that Kalın became the head of the National Intelligence Service. He has been serving as the presidential press secretary since December 2014 and has held notable roles in shaping foreign policy and safeguarding national security. His long-standing proximity to the executive branch and his background in diplomacy positioned him as a key figure in Turkey’s intelligence and security apparatus.
Historically, Kalın’s name has appeared in national media as a candidate for leading MIT, reflecting his influence within the government and his experience in international affairs. His appointment comes at a time when Turkey is recalibrating its security and intelligence structures to align with evolving regional challenges and strategic objectives.
On June 3, President Erdoğan unveiled the lineup of the country’s new government. In a move that signaled a shift in the international posture, Hakan Fidan, who previously headed MIT, was appointed as the new Turkish foreign minister. On the same day, the newly elected president took the oath at the Turkish Grand National Assembly and officially assumed the presidency, marking a transitional moment for Turkey’s leadership and its approach to global diplomacy and defense matters.