10 Most Powerful Intelligence Agencies Around The World

Today a nation is dependent not only on its army but also on its intelligence agencies to counter external and internal threats. These intel agencies know all your dirty secrets and that is exactly the fact that makes them so dangerous.

Here are some of the most feared intelligence agencies around the world.

 

 1. ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), Pakistan

Headquarters: Islamabad

Founded: 1948

ISI is Pakistan’s most important intel agency. The organization is so powerful that it practically runs the country, along with the army. It is often rated among the top intel agencies in the world.

Throughout the years, the ISI has acted as a kind of the backbone of the Pakistan government. The defeat of USSR in Afghanistan is often considered as its most important victory.

 

2. RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), India

Headquarters: New Delhi

Founded: 1968

While IB, deals with the internal matters, the RAW is more concerned with external affairs. The agency’s main focus is to monitor the movement and activities of its neighbors, especially China and Pakistan.

The agency played a vital role in the creation of Bangladesh, in the year 1971. It also helped the government conduct nuke test with absolute secrecy. RAW also found out about Pakistan’s main nuclear weapons laboratory, Kahuta. It also intercepted calls between Pakistan government and the Army, which ultimately led to India’s victory.

 

3. Mossad (HaMossad leModiʿin uleTafkidim Meyuḥadim), Israel

Headquarters: Tel Aviv

Founded: 1949

Mossad is like the godfather of all intelligence agencies. The agency has been a part of some of the most daring undercover operations the world has ever seen. It is often believed that it is because of Mossad that Israel is still able to hold its ground.

During their famous Entebbe Rescue, all the Mossad agents dressed up as Ugandan soldiers and one agent was even made to look like the president of Uganda, Idi Amin. They created a perfect replica of Amin’s motorcade. They freed all the Israelis and even destroyed many Ugandan Jets.

After 11 Israeli athletes were murdered during the 1972 Munich Olympics by a terrorist group called Black September. Mossad decided to seek revenge.

They employed their agents and spies and killed all the suspected conspirators.

 

4. CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), U.S.A.

Headquarters: Fairfax, Virginia

Founded: 1947

The CIA is often considered as the reason behind America’s domination over the world. The agency plays a vital role in maintaining America’s position as a superpower. Operation PBSUCCESS, in which US-backed rebels overthrew the democratically elected president of Guatemala and the assassination of Osama, are some of its major success.

Well, having said that The CIA has also had it’s fair share of failures too. But still, it remains one of the best intel agencies in the world.

 

5. MI6 (Military Intelligence, Section 6), UK

Headquarters: London

Founded: 1909

The MI6 is one of the oldest existing intelligence agencies in the world. The agency has been in operation even before the world war I. The agency is often considered to be the reason Britain’s victory in the world wars.

It was this agency’s intel that helped not only Britain to stay out of Hilter’s hand but also defeating Hitler.

Even today the agency works with top agencies like CIA to helps them in their missions.

 

6. GRU (Main Intelligence Agency), Russia

Headquarters: Moscow

Founded: 1918

It is Russia’s main intelligence agency. Before the fall of USSR, the country’s main spy agency was the KGB. The GRU was formed as Soviet military intelligence organization and engaged only in foreign intelligence activities.

It is said that after the fall of USSR, it was this agency that has helped Russia to once become a major threat to all the superpowers. It became more important after Boris Yeltsin discontinued the KGB in the year 1996.

 

7. MSS (Ministry of State Security), China

Headquarters: Beijing

Founded: 1983

The MSS is the chief intelligence body of the country. It looks after both the internal and external matters. Apart from keeping, China updated about the world affairs, the agency also works internally, so that , the popularity of Communist party is maintained.

Over the years, it has played a major role in curbing any anti-communist or anti- government revolts. The strength and the popularity of the communist party are quite dependent on this agency.

 

8. BND ( Bundesnachrichtendienst), Germany

Headquarters: Pullach and Berlin

Founded: 1956

Speaking in terms of technology, this agency is second to none. Its surveillance system is often considered world class. Throughout it helped the country either by giving early warnings or by completely eliminating the danger.

When it comes to getting inside information about the Middle East and Latin America, they are few agencies which can beat it.

 

9. DGSE (General Directorate for External Security), France

Headquarters: Paris

Founded: 1982

Like most of the agencies, it is concerned with external threats and affairs. Although, it is relatively young when compared to its other counterparts, yet the agency is often considered as one of the best in the world.

A huge part of the french revenue actually goes to this agency. It has more than 5000 employees. It helps France to keep a check on various terrorist activities and especially ISIS.

France has always being a hot target, especially for the Algerian and Arab terrorist groups and this agency single-handedly has eliminated most of the treats. The agency works with the French police force which helps it to speed up it process. It believes in maintaining a low profile.

 

10. ASIS ( Australian Secret Intelligence Service), Australia

Headquarters: Canberra

Founded: 1952

Although the country has successfully kept itself away various international crisis, yet, it still maintains a strong intelligence agency. It is one of the most efficient intelligence agencies and has its basic interest centered in Asia and pacific regions.

Its agents are spread across the world and collect valuable information. The agency works with such secrecy that for many years many people in the Australian government itself were unaware of its activities. It was first mentioned in the Australian Parliament in the year 1975 and publically acknowledged only in the year 1977.

So, tonight if you sleep peacefully, it is probably because of these agencies, work day and night, to eliminate all threats and helps the country to maintain peace and order.

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