Intelligence agencies are government-funded organizations working primarily for the safety and security of a nation. These agencies conduct operations, from scrutiny to held secret missions, while evaluating information for any suspicious activity on foreign and native land posing a potential threat to one’s own country. They can also be referred to as a line of defense after the military. They are held responsible for the strategic planning and execution of the government’s foreign policies, to the national security and public safety of the country.
1) Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Central Intelligence Agency popularly known as the CIA. This United States government agency is recognized as one of the best intelligence agencies in the world. Formed in 1947, it held a high profile as a foreign intelligence service. Headquarters in the George W. Bush Center for Intelligence, Virginia, USA. It is focused on obtaining intelligence abroad, this agency submits its findings to the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, who leads the CIA, and then to the Director of National Intelligence.
2) Research and Analysis Wing ( R&AW)
Second on our list of the best Intelligence Agencies in the world is the Research and Analysis Wing or R&AW was founded on September 21, 1968, and its main office is located in New Delhi. Following a crisis – the failure of the intelligence agencies of the Sino-Indian war, R&AW was established. This agency is held to directly report to the prime minister of India who serves as the head of this agency. It is held responsible for intelligence services for acquiring both internal and external intelligence services, counter-terrorism, and security of the country.
3) Mossad (The Institute of Intelligence and Special Tasks)
The Institute of Intelligence and Special Tasks, also known as Mossad, is the external intelligence service of the state of Israel and is third on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world. The term “Mossad” is a Hebrew word for “institute or institution.” Headquartered in Tel Aviv, it was established in 1949. Formerly known as the Central Institute of Coordination and the Central Institute of Intelligence, it operates under the supervision of the Prime Minister, who serves as the head of the institute. It not only ensures defense but also probes into special operations.
4) M16 (Military Intelligence, Section 6)
Our next best intelligence agency in the world is MI6, Military Intelligence, Section 6. Its headquarters are in England, United Kingdom, with its foundation dating back a century and being formed in 1909, with the Chief of Secret Intelligence Service holding responsibility for the operations undertaken. Focused on the fields of security, foreign economic policies, and serious crime.
5) Glavnoe Razvedytalnoe Upravlenie (GRU)
The Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, formerly known as the Main Intelligence Directorate, is popularly known through its abbreviation form GRU (Glavnoe Razvedytalnoe Upravlenie).
The headquarters of this Intelligence agency is in Moscow which is commanded by the Ministry of Defense. Its primary functions include political intelligence, science, and technological intelligence as the chief military intelligence agency of Russia.
6) The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
Australian Secret Intelligence Services (ASIS), formed in 1952, remained to work secretly until 1972 when it came into public existence. Headquarters at Canberra, it directly reports from the director general to the minister of foreign affairs. ASIS is regarded as one of the best intelligence agencies in the world.
7) Directorate General of Eternal Security (DGSE)
The next on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world is Direction Generale de la Security Exterieure (DGSE), France’s foreign intelligence is associated with the Ministry of the Armed Forces to whom it directly reports after the Director of DGSE. This secret service headquartered in Paris was founded in 1982.
8) The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND)
The Federal Intelligence Service of Germany or The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) in German is next on our list of best intelligence agencies in the world. It is the popular intelligence agency stationed in Berlin. Founded in 1956 this agency is commanded directly by the chancellor, the elected supreme head of the country to whom it directly reports.
9) Ministry of State Security (MSS)
One of the foremost civilian intelligence agencies in China, commonly known as MSS (Ministry of State Security), was founded in 1983 with its headquarters in the Haidian District of Beijing. It is recognized as one of the largest intelligence organizations, popular for its secretive intelligence operations; led by the commissioner general, the head of the police rank, and therefore is one of the best intelligence agencies in the world.
10) Federal Security Service (FSB)
The FSB (Federal Security Service) is one of the chief executive agencies of Russia and is next on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world. Its main function is the regulation and execution of analytical methods and suggestions in government policies catering to national security. Founded in 1995 with its headquarters in Moscow, the agency works directly under the supervision of the President of Russia.
11) Foreign Intelligence Agency
Next on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world is the Foreign Intelligence Agency a Polish intelligence agency, formed on June 29, 2000, with its headquarters at Milobedzka St. Warsaw. The agency is coordinated by the Ministry of Special Forces.
12) Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service, works under the direct supervision of the minister of Public Safety, with its headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. Formed in 1984, it specializes in intelligence and security agencies and therefore is considered one of the best intelligence agencies in the world. CSIS came into existence after its prior agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged illegal activities.
13) The National Intelligence Service (NIS)
Next on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world is the chief South Korean intelligence agency is known as the National Intelligence Service (NIS). The agency was officially established in 1961 as the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA). Since its formation, this agency has witnessed exponential growth in both internal and international intelligence, with its headquarters located in the Seocho district in Seoul.
14) ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence)
Next on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world is the Pakistani Intelligence Agency, which was founded on January 1, 1948, is regarded as the best intelligence agency in Pakistan, while its headquarters lie in Islamabad. This agency is known for its definite impact on a range of issues. Controlled and headed by the Pakistani army, this agency is also known for its infamous secretive operations.
15) Savak
The last on our list of the best intelligence agencies in the world is the Bureau for Intelligence and Security of the State, referred to as SAVAK, which remains a popular intelligence agency in Iran known as the secret police working for the imperial state of Iran. It laid a firm foundation in Tehran in 1957 but was later dissolved in 1979.
The above-mentioned Intelligence Agencies are recognized as the best intelligence agencies in the world, known for their skills as well as their organized operative methods. They have garnered protection and prevention of any threat as duly possible through their executive analytical, evaluative methods.