In her first major address as chief, the new head of MI6 has issued a stark warning that Britain is operating in a perilous "space between peace and war," exacerbated by rapid technological change.
A New and More Dangerous Era
Blaise Metreweli, who took over as head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) in September, stated the global landscape is "more dangerous and contested now than for decades." She delivered this assessment in a speech at the agency's London headquarters, highlighting how emerging technologies are "rewriting the reality of conflict."
Metreweli, 48, is the first woman to lead MI6 in its history. An Arabic speaker with field experience in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, she previously ran the service's technology division, known as Q branch.
The Diffuse Power of Technology
The spy chief focused on the seismic shift in power caused by new technologies, which she said is becoming "more diffuse, more unpredictable." She warned that control is shifting from states to corporations and even individuals, creating science-fiction-like tools.
While not naming specific companies, her remarks alluded to the dominance of US tech giants in social media and referenced figures like Elon Musk, who controls the Starlink satellite network vital for Ukraine's military. She outlined a series of generalised threats, including:
- AI-powered robots and drones with devastating battlefield potential.
- The risk of lethal bioweapons.
- "Hyper-personalised tools" that could become new vectors for conflict and control.
"Information," she said, "was becoming increasingly weaponised," with disinformation campaigns targeting "even our brains."
Deliberate Omission on China
In a break from tradition, Metreweli avoided a detailed "global threat tour." This allowed her to sidestep direct analysis of China, a topic that has been a focus for previous MI6 chiefs. The UK government has recently faced challenges in prosecuting espionage cases linked to Beijing.
She devoted only a single paragraph to China, stating it "will be a central part of the global transformation taking place this century" and that MI6 must inform the government's understanding of its rise. She did not label China as a challenge or threat, a notable omission as Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to arrange a visit to Beijing.
Condemnation of Russia's Actions
In contrast, her remarks on Russia, trailed in advance of the speech, were unequivocal. She described Moscow as "aggressive, expansionist and revisionist, seeking to subjugate Ukraine and harass Nato."
Metreweli accused President Vladimir Putin of being insincere about peace negotiations for Ukraine, claiming he is "dragging out negotiations" and shifting the burden of the war onto the Russian population.
The Future Mission of MI6
Facing this hybrid landscape of traditional and technological threats, Metreweli argued that MI6 must adapt. The agency, traditionally focused on human intelligence and running agents, now has to become "fluent in technology" and anticipate the impact of future advances.
She concluded that the post-war international order is being deliberately contested "from sea to space, from the battlefield to the boardroom," placing the UK in a sustained state of strategic competition that defies old definitions of peace and war.
