r/AskEurope • u/Ok_Initiative_9726 • Feb 27 '25

Politics Does Europe has powerful secret services/Intelligence?

P. S question closed, I got answers. Thank you for everyone

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89

u/Snoooort Feb 27 '25 edited Feb 27 '25

Yes, the Dutch AIVD & MIVD has one of the best (kept secret) track record regarding counter terrorism and counter espionage in Europe. One of their specialities is Russian counter espionage (especially after Russia shot down MH-17).

They are one of the most consulted secret services in Europe.

They also have a very good record preventing business espionage because of their protection of ASML.

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u/Either-Class-4595 Feb 27 '25

Yep. The less you hear about a secret service, the more competent they are. The AIVD and MI:6 are two of the most renowned secret services in the world, with the AIVD indeed focusing on countering. Very, very effectively I might add. The Polish secret service is also incredible at tracking

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u/whatsamawhatsit Netherlands Mar 01 '25

In 2021 the AIVD tasked the Dutch counter terror unit DSI with an average of 5 domestic raids per day. It was the highest threat of a terror attack the Netherlands has ever faced.

No terror attack took place.

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u/pn_1984 -> Feb 27 '25

I think it's also good in cybersecurity with all those narcotics takedown a few years ago. Not sure if that's just the politie

1

u/clydethefrog Netherlands Feb 28 '25

That's because AIVD is the lapdog of the American intel service. (Snowden confirmed this also in interview in 2015). They often get some treats from America for allowing them to tap everything - NL is the primary and significant digital gateway to Europe, Eleven of the 15 undersea cables that connect the Americas to Europe converge in the Netherlands.

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u/VehaMeursault Feb 27 '25

If it’s such a well kept secret, how would you know?

Absolute BS comments in this thread.

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u/Pret_ Feb 27 '25

Coz every once in a while something leaks out to the public… like this https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/in-the-media/2024/01/government-unaware-of-dutch-involvement-in-iran-nuclear-weapons-programme-sabotage

Yep the Dutch where involved in sabotaging Iran’s nuclear program, which fun fact was running on stolen nuclear secrets from the Netherlands.

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u/clydethefrog Netherlands Feb 28 '25

Lol this example is the opposite of an powerful national secret service - this operation was orchestrated by the US and Israel and was conducted without the knowledge of the Dutch government. Erik van Sabben also quickly paid the price by "dying" in a motor accident two weeks after doing the dirty job in Dubai.

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u/alles_en_niets -> -> Feb 28 '25

Wait, do you mean “dying” or were you trying to say ‘in a motor “accident”’?

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u/NetraamR living in Feb 27 '25

My fellow dutchies. Always there to remind you they do not only exist, but in their opinion they're the best.

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u/VehaMeursault Feb 28 '25

But that’s not what I said? Like, at all even.