Top 10 Intelligence Agencies of the World

In this article, we are going to provide the detailed account of all the vital information associated with the top important and powerful agencies of the world. The article will give a deep insight into the formation, headquarters and objectives/ task performed by these intelligene agencies overseas.

What is international agency ?

An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is accountable for gathering, analysing and exploiting the information which is in favour of national security, military and foreign policy objectives. The information is gathered either directly or indirectly through spying, cryptanalysis, communication interception, assessment of public sources and cooperation with other institutions.

 

Country	Intelligence Agency	Foundation Year	Headquarter
Pakistan	ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)	1948	Aabpara, Islamabad
Israel	Mossad	1949	Tel Aviv
USA	CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)	1947	Langley, Virginia
UK	SIS (Security Intelligence Service) or MI6	1909	London
India	RAW (Research and Analysis Wing)	1968	New Delhi
Australia	ASIS (Australian Secret Intelligence)	1952	Canberra
France	DGSE (Directorate-General for External Security)	1947	Paris
Germany	BMD (Bundesnachrichtendiest)	1956	Berlin
China	MSS (Ministry of State Security)	1983	Beijing
Canada	CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service)	1984	Ottawa
Russia	FSB (Federal Security Service of Russia Federation)	1995	Lubyanka Square

Why are Intelligence Agencies important ?

Besides providing the intelligence inputs about the internationally sponsored terrorism and any other security threat to the government prior to any mishap intelligence agencies are given responsibility for the collection of information regarding weapon proliferation, drug trafficking and often about persons, entities or subjects of nation’s interest.

Now we are going to discuss about these important spy agencies one by one.

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)

Inter-Services intelligence is the premier Intelligence agency of Pakistan which is responsible for collecting, processing and analysing the information that is valuable for the national security and welfare of Pakistan. The ISI mainly consists of serving military officers appointed  for temporary period (secondment) from the three service branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force), thus the name “Inter-Services”. ISI is primarily focussed on providing intelligence inputs to the government of Pakistan.

 

Mossad

Mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel. Mossad has conducted several daring undercover operations in the world. It is responsible for conducting espionage, intelligence gathering, covert operations and counter-terrorism. Director is answerable directly and only to the Prime Minister. Further, the spy agency is exempted from the constitutional laws of the State of Israel and is described as a deep state.

 

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the civilian foreign Intelligence agency of the federal Government of the United States. The agency is one of the prime reason behind the domination of America over the world. CIA purpose is collecting, processing and analysing the information vital for the national security of US primarily through the use of human intelligence (HUMINT). The agency has played a crucial role for conducting several important operations worldwide and thus helped in maintaining the USA’s status as a superpower.

 

Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) / MI6

The Secret Intelligence Service commonly known as MI6 is the foreign intelligence service of the United Kingdom. The spy agency is responsible for covert overseas collection, processing and analysis of human intelligence. SIS chief is accountable to the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. The prime roles assigned to SIS  includes conter-proliferation, counter-terrorism, providing cyber security intelligence and supporting stability overseas to disrupt terrorism and other criminal activities. It is one of the oldest intelligence agency.

 

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

The RAW was established in 1968 with the prime objective being gathering intelligence inputs, monitoring movement and activities of neighbouring countries particularly Pakistan and China. The need of agency was felt after the 1962 attack by China and the India-Pakistan war of 1965 because the intelligence gaps were exposed significantly. The nation had no intelligene inputs before it went to war. Indian Army was not aware beforehand about  enemy’s infiltration areas or points which eventually  resulted in lose of war in 1962 . The India however managed to have upperhand over Pakistan when the ceasefire was declared.

 

Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)

ASIS was established in 1952 but it’s existence remained secret even within much of the government for more than twenty years till 1972. It is the external intelligence agency  of Australia responsible for counter- intelligene activities, gathering covert intelligence inputs and cooperating with the intelligence agencies worldwide. Director General (DG) reports to the minister for foreign affairs.

 

Directorate General for External Security (DGSE)

DGSE is the chief intelligence agency of  France which collects the intelligence or inputs from all around the world.. The agency is monitored and guided by the French  Ministry of Defence. The agency functions in collaboration with the DCRI (The Central Directorate of Interior Intelligence). The logo of DGSE depicts the the bird of prey which symbolizes  the sovereignity, operational capacity, international operational nature and the efficiency of the DGSE. The lines in the logo depicts the network that isiused  by DGES and France is shown as a sanctuary.

 

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)

CSIS is the spy agency of Canada whose duty is too look into the matters of national security of the country. Besides this, the agency is indulged in gathering intelligence, counterespionage and conducting covert operations. CSIS advices the government of Canada regarding potential security threats prior to any mishap. The spy agency is a part of an intelligence alliance (Five Eyes) comprising US, UK, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

 

➠Hope this article will enhance your knowledge with respect to the important and powerful intelligene agencies of the world.

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