On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, Sir Richard Moore, former Chief of the UK鈥檚 Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and former UK Ambassador to Turkey, joined Paul M. Nakasone, founder of the Vanderbilt Institute of National Security, for a wide-ranging conversation on intelligence, diplomacy, and leadership. Held in Langford Auditorium ahead of the Institute鈥檚 April 2026 Asness Summit, the Lecture on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats drew scholars, students, and community members to explore the evolving challenges facing the intelligence community in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
Sir Richard described MI6 as, at its core, a human intelligence organization 鈥� one built on relationships of trust. Preserving that ethos, he emphasized, requires striking a careful balance: remaining sufficiently open to build confidence with partners, agents, and the public while still protecting the secrets essential to intelligence work. The 鈥済reat mystique鈥� of MI6, he noted, depends on agents鈥� confidence that their identities and work will be safeguarded. Trust, both internally and externally between allies, remains crucial.
Reflecting on his return to the intelligence sector after diplomatic service, Sir Richard underscored the value of understanding both sides of the intelligence equation 鈥� the provider and the consumer. His experience in foreign service offered insight into how policymakers interpret and act on intelligence, sharpening his perspective on the importance of clarity, relevance, and credibility in intelligence assessments. At the same time, he stressed the need for intelligence organizations to keep up with the 鈥渁stonishing pace鈥� of technological change reshaping the modern security landscape.
Turning to global threats, Sir Richard characterized Russia and Iran as rogue, declining regimes, while distinguishing China as a complex and major emerging power. Navigating these challenges, he argued, requires strong alliances. He pointed to the Five Eyes intelligence partnership as a 鈥減owerful motor for the West,鈥� emphasizing that cooperation among allies remains firmly in the national interest of all members. Unlike their adversaries, allied nations benefit from deep trust, shared values, and enduring institutional arrangements 鈥� advantages that must be reaffirmed and strengthened.
These themes extended to broader commentary on today鈥檚 security environment. Sir Richard cautioned that the world is increasingly operating in a gray zone between peace and war, characterizing it as an 鈥渆xtraordinarily contested world鈥� requiring adaptation.
In closing, Sir Richard offered advice to students considering careers in intelligence. He emphasized the high intrinsic satisfaction of the work, grounded in belief in the mission and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in global security and in making the world safer. Above all, he highlighted curiosity as a driving force behind quality intelligence work, encouraging students to be more 鈥渞andom鈥� and to take chances and seize opportunities whenever possible.
Following the formal discussion, Sir Richard continued the conversation with guests during a reception in Langford Lobby.