Let me ask you something? What are Intelligence Agencies? What do they do? Really cool spies who knock down the bad villains, yeah Something like that but way too broader.
Yes, Intelligence Agencies are the government organization which gather, analyse and exploit information to ensure law enforcement and national security.
So how they are different from Police, military and armed forces, they also work to protect the nation and eliminate internal and external threats? But what makes Intelligence Agencies stand out is the fact that they work in a confidential influence throughout the globe and follow a certain protocol for work.
Their work is exciting, isn’t it? But at the same time, isn’t their work full of dangerous issues and tensions? Let’s have a look at the world’s top 10 Intelligence Agencies of the World that will help you to know them better.
1. Central Intelligence Agency, USA
Headquarters: Langley, Virginia
Founded on: September 18, 1947
CIA is one of the oldest and greatest intelligence agency that belongs to the federal government of the US. It collects information from overseas that might threaten the nation and deals with it. It also handles counterintelligence, cyber warfare and also carry out para-military operations.
2. Research and Analysis Wing, India
Headquarters: New Delhi
Founded on: September 21, 1968
One of most capable intelligence agencies in the world, RAW came into being after Indian faced two wars in a decade, Sino-India war 1962 and Indo-Pak war 1965. It mainly works to gather foreign information, counterterrorism, advising policymakers and also contributed in the foreign strategic decisions.
3. Mossad, Israel
Headquarters: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Founded on: December 13, 1949
The third branch of the Israeli Intelligence Community after Shin Bet and Aman, the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations popularly called Mossad deals with foreign Intelligence, gathering information and run covert operations. One of the main aims of it is to protect Jews and their interests.
4. Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan
Headquarters: Islamabad
Founded on: January 1, 1948
The premier intelligence agency of Pakistan, ISI works to secure necessary information regarding internal and external security which influences Pakistan’s strategic interests.
5. Secret Intelligence Service, UK
Headquarters: London
Founded on: July 4, 1909
The intelligence agency of UK, popularly known as MI6, deals with external affairs and intelligence to maintain the well-being of the country. It primarily deals with information related to terrorism, nuclear weapons, drug trafficking, organized crime and others.
6. Main Intelligence Agency, Russia
Headquarters: Moscow
Founded on: May 7, 1992
The Main Intelligence Directorate of Russia, popularly known as GRU is Russia’s largest Intelligence Agency which maintains its own special forces unit to deal with the information regarding national security anf foreign threats.
7. Ministry of State Security, China
Headquarters: Beijing
Founded on: July 1, 1983
The civilian Intelligence, security and secret police agency of China, MSS is responsible to censor internet, cut the population from outside world, handle internal opposition, economic spying and mainly ensure political security.
8. Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario
Founded on: 21 June 1984
One of the safest intelligence agency of the world, CSIS collects intelligence, runs covert operations, and advises the government on potential security threats. It takes action against any issue that might pose a threat to the national security and sometimes act too aggressively.
9. Australian Secret Intelligence Service, Australia
Headquarters: Canberra
Founded on: 13 May 1952
Another strong agency to make it in the top intelligence agencies list is ASIS which deals with international or foreign intelligence. It is an important component of the Australian Intelligence Community and is responsible for counter-intelligence and liaising with other similar agencies.
10. Directorate-General for External Security, France
Headquarters: 141 Boulevard Mortier, Paris XX
Founded on: 2 April 1982
The French intelligence agency works like every other intelligence industry and deals with foreign intelligence and issues that affect national security under a veil of secrecy.
Every country has a number of intelligence agencies which are safe, strong and capable and work in a confidential manner. They ensure our safety and not even take credit for it, yes they are cool.
