The "deep state" refers to a purported secretive network within a government that operates independently of elected officials and wields significant influence or control over national policy and decision-making. It is often described as an unauthorized or covert group of actors-such as members of the military, intelligence agencies, bureaucracies, or financial elites-who pursue their own agendas behind the scenes, sometimes contrary to the interests of the publicly elected government
. The term originated in Turkey in the 1990s as derin devlet , describing a clandestine alliance between military, intelligence, organized crime, and business elites that influenced or controlled the government outside democratic oversight
. This concept has since been applied to other countries, including the United States, where it gained prominence as a political conspiracy theory, especially during Donald Trump's presidency. In the U.S. context, proponents claim that elements within the FBI, CIA, and other parts of the federal bureaucracy work covertly to undermine elected officials and shape policy, although critics argue this reflects misunderstandings of bureaucratic function rather than an actual conspiracy
. Beyond conspiracy theories, the idea also captures concerns about entrenched institutional power and influence that can persist regardless of electoral outcomes. Some analysts describe a "contractor state" deep state in the U.S., involving powerful defense contractors, government officials, nonprofits, and career politicians who collectively maintain and benefit from complex federal spending and programs
. In summary, the deep state is a contested and often politicized concept describing hidden or unofficial networks within government or society that exert power beyond democratic control, with origins in Turkey but now widely discussed globally, especially in relation to intelligence, military, and bureaucratic influence
