Best 5 Intelligence Agencies in the World.
1 MOSSAD
mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel, one of the top 10 countries with the most powerful nuclear weapons in the world. It is one of the three branches of the Israeli Intelligence Community – the other two being Shin Bet and Aman, which handles internal security and military intelligence, respectively.
Mossad mainly deals with foreign intelligence, collecting information on overseas developments that might threaten Israeli interests and security. The agency runs covert operations and has its own counter-terrorist unit, the Kidon. Not much is known about the unit other than it is supposedly composed of elite assassins.
Like other foreign intelligence agencies, Mossad cooperates with other similar entities from other countries. It has been reported that Mossad
cooperates with Middle Eastern countries, with the common topic being Iran’s nuclear program. Mossad has also cooperated with the Central Intelligence Agency and the Research and Analysis Wing in the past.
2. Secret Intelligence Service(SIS)
the Secret Intelligence Service is the foreign intelligence agency of the UK. Commonly known as MI6, it is the second-most popular agency on this list, a distinction it owes to the James Bond movies. Like almost all the other agencies on this list, the MI6 primarily deals with external affairs, leaving internal affairs to the MI5.
The MI6 gathers and analyzes information from overseas. It focuses on information related to terrorism, nuclear weapons, drug trafficking, organized crime, and other activities that could threaten the UK’s interests and national security. It also coordinates with other foreign intelligence agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency.
The MI6 was formed more than 100 years ago, making it one of the oldest intelligence agencies in the world. Its track record is far from immaculate, however. In recent years, it has been involved in controversies relating to how it handles its operations. Most infamously,
there have been reports that the agency employs torture and extraordinary rendition
3.Central Intelligence Agency(CIA)
The Central Intelligence Agency is the foreign intelligence agency of the US. It collects information from overseas, with minimal information collection within the country. It is the most popular and easily recognizable intelligence agency in the world, mainly due to its numerous appearances in Hollywood movies.
The CIA was formed in 1947, making it one of the oldest intelligence agencies on this list. The agency is tasked with monitoring overseas developments that might threaten the US, especially relating to terrorism and nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The agency also handles counterintelligence and cyber warfare.
Apart from gathering information, the CIA also runs covert paramilitary operations. The track record of the CIA is a mixed bag, though, based on publicly known past operations. The agency has been involved in numerous scandals and controversies over the years, the chief reason why it is only ranked fourth on our list of the top 10 best intelligence agencies in the world.
4.Research And Analysis Wing(RAW)
The foreign intelligence agency of India probably has the least conspicuous name out of all intelligence agencies in the world. Outsiders might even think it’s just a non-government organization. But don’t be fooled by the agency name – the Research and Analysis Wing is one of the most capable in the world.
Formed in 1968 to specifically deal with foreign intelligence, the RAW plays an instrumental role in keeping India protected against terrorist attacks and monitoring developments in other countries which could directly affect India. However, the RAW is extremely secretive. Not much is known about its activities and past operations, which is a good thing.
The RAW regularly coordinates with other intelligence agencies and presumably has intelligence officers stationed all over the world. In particular, the agency regularly communicates with other well-known agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency and Mossad in regard to monitoring Pakistan’s nuclear program.
5. Federal Intelligence Service(FIS)
The Bundesnachrichtendienst or the Federal Intelligence Service is the foreign intelligence agency of Germany. It was formed in 1956 and directly reports to the German Chancellery. Being the only overseas intelligence agency in the country, it is responsible for gathering both military and civil intelligence.
The BND is tasked with detecting all possible threats to German interests and national security from overseas. The agency gathers information on terrorism, nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, organized crime, drug and illegal human trafficking, and illegal migration.
The BND is known for mainly utilizing wiretapping and electronic espionage to collect information, a tactic often scrutinized by the public. As with other intelligence agencies, most of the activities and operations of the BND are classified. But it’s probably safe to assume that the agency has eyes and ears on major communication lines, recording conversations with no regard for privacy.
