Turkey’s former intelligence chief has emerged as a possible successor to Erdoğan—and a potentially greater strategic threat to Israel.
Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s foreign minister and former head of the MIT intelligence agency, is increasingly viewed as one of the most powerful and dangerous figures operating behind the scenes in the Middle East.
Fidan led Turkish intelligence from 2010 to 2023, transforming the agency into a major instrument of Erdoğan’s regional ambitions. Although largely lacking Erdoğan’s public charisma, he has accumulated deep influence throughout Turkey’s intelligence, military and diplomatic establishments.
His relationship with Israel is complicated. Turkish intelligence under Fidan cooperated with the Mossad in disrupting Iranian plots against Israelis in Istanbul and maintained secret communications with Jerusalem during periods of diplomatic crisis.