The Northern MI6: Sweden’s Strategic Intelligence Overhaul

The war in Ukraine exposed more than military vulnerabilities—it also revealed the critical importance of timely, accurate intelligence. In response, several European nations are rethinking how they gather and interpret information in an increasingly unpredictable world. In this episode, we explore Sweden's decision to establish a new civilian foreign intelligence service, examining why the country is restructuring its national security apparatus following its entry into NATO. From reducing dependence on allied intelligence and strengthening political analysis to harnessing artificial intelligence and expanding regional cooperation, we investigate how modern espionage is evolving beyond traditional military priorities. The story reveals that in an era of rapidly shifting geopolitical threats, success depends not only on collecting information, but on understanding it well enough to anticipate the crises of tomorrow.https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/07/26/sweden-is-launching-its-own-mi6