World Intelligence Agencies & Spy Networks
National intelligence and security agencies gather strategic foreign intelligence, conduct counter-espionage, and execute covert operations to defend state sovereignty. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was created in the United States under the National Security Act of 1947, operating from Langley, Virginia. The United Kingdom's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), widely known as MI6, manages foreign intelligence alongside the domestic Security Service (MI5). Israel's Mossad (Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations), founded in 1949 by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, is renowned for high-stakes intelligence and counter-terror operations. In Russia, the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) succeeded the Soviet KGB. Germany's foreign intelligence is directed by the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), while India's foreign intelligence is managed by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
Key Concepts & Examination Highlights
- The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States was established by the National Security Act of 1947.
- Mossad is Israel's national foreign intelligence agency, formed in December 1949 under Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.
- The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS, commonly known as MI6) handles foreign intelligence collection for the United Kingdom.
- The FSB (Federal Security Service) and SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service) are the primary Russian successors to the Soviet KGB.
- The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India was created in September 1968 under first chief R. N. Kao.