Nearly every country in the world has an agency charged with gathering, processing, and analyzing information from around the world. They maintain national security and protect their countries’ interests in all aspects – economic, political, and military. But which countries have the best intelligence agencies in the world?
Little information about intelligence agencies is public.
Some of these agencies have agreements to share information with others for greater impact. Others are extremely secretive and make it a point to share with no one.
Countless countries have spies scattered across the globe to gather intelligence. But information about who these spies are and exactly how they operate, is – naturally – highly classified.
Still, it is possible to estimate which countries maintain the best intelligence agencies in the world.
Who operates most effectively? Most secretly? Whose spies are the most deadly? The most ruthless? Who has the best technology? Keep reading to find out.
The Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency. This agency provides critical national security intelligence assessment to the Government of Pakistan.
Authorities founded the agency after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48, which had revealed critical intelligence shortcomings. The ISI consists of officers from different branches of the armed forces – the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The current head of ISI is General Faiz Hameed. He has held the position of Director General since June 2019. This is the only position of the entire agency that is overt. Since 1971, only three-star army generals have occupied the post. Ostensibly, the agency reports directly to the Prime Minister and the Army Chief.
In the 1980s, the ISI gained global fame during the Soviet-Afghan War. Working closely with the CIA, the agency helped prop up the Afghan mujahideen against the Soviet Union. Since then, it has been embroiled directly and indirectly in terrorism controversies in the region.
In the 1990s, the ISI provided intelligence and strategic support to the Taliban during the Afghan Civil War to counter India’s influence in the region. Officially, it changed allegiances after 2001, though reports have indicated continued support of the Taliban.
According to intelligence experts, what gives the ISI an edge is its unpredictability and lack of transparency. Both these traits naturally draw international criticism. Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto once characterized the agency as a “state within a state”.
Not only does the US maintain one of the top armies in the world. It can also boast several of the best intelligence agencies. What sets them apart is their use of carefully guarded, cutting-edge technology.
In total, the United States’ Intelligence Community (IC) consists of 16 separate agencies. The most notable and recognizable among them are the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The CIA focuses on gathering, analyzing, and providing overseas intelligence for the President and Cabinet of the United States. It was created in 1947, as a successor to the World War II Office of Strategic Services (OSS). In particular, the CIA relies on the use of human intelligence – meaning spies.
In contrast, the NSA’s main advantage is its technical prowess. The agency is responsible for intercepting and deciphering foreign signals while protecting the information systems of the United States – at least in theory. In 2013, it was the center of an international scandal. That year, whistle-blower Edward Snowden revealed that the NSA had eavesdropped on millions of Americans, as well as foreign allies.
Finally, the FBI provides the link between intelligence agencies and law enforcement in the country. Contrary to common misconception, it is not a pure intelligence agency.
Mossad is an abbreviation for HaMossad leModiʿin uleTafkidim Meyuḥadim, which translates as ‘Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations’. It is the national intelligence agency of Israel.
Founded in 1951, it operated in secret until the mid-1990s. The agency’s main areas of focus are intelligence collection, covert operations, and counter-terrorism.
What makes Mossad stand out is that it is entirely separate from Israel’s democratic institutions. No law defines its roles or purpose. What’s more, it’s exempt even from the constitutional laws of Israel. The agency answers only to the Prime Minister. Consequently, international observers have described it as a deep state.
The Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) of the United Kingdom has a long history. It actually dates back to 1909, making it one of the oldest intelligence services in the world. More commonly, the SIS is famous under its alias, MI6 – the agency for which James Bond works in Ian Fleming’s famous novels.
Like most other services on this list, MI6 focuses on external threats, from nuclear weapons to organized crime. Internal threats to national security are within the purview of a different agency, MI5.
The organization’s headquarters are in London and its annual budget is estimated at £3 billion.
The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), is Germany’s foreign Federal Intelligence Service. Its headquarters – the world’s largest of any intelligence agency – are located in Berlin. Overall, the BND has over 300 locations within Germany and abroad. It answers directly to the German Chancellor’s Office.
Since its foundation during the Cold War in 1956, the West German BND cooperated closely with the CIA. During these years, intelligence experts regarded it second only to the the American agency.
Today, the BND is an early-warning system to alert German leaders to foreign threats to national security. It excels in technology, relying heavily on electronic surveillance and wiretapping. From terrorism and organized crime to drug and weapons trafficking, the BND gathers both military and civil intelligence.
Like other intelligence agencies in the region, France’s General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) emerged just after World War II, in 1947. Its structure grew from several earlier intelligence agencies – some dating back to the era of Napoleon, others to the war that had just ended.
In the mid-1960s, the agency saw criticism after it became public that it contributed to the kidnapping and presumed murder of a Moroccan revolutionary living in Paris.
Today, its primary focus is on gathering intelligence from foreign sources to assist in military and strategic decisions for the country. It is especially renowned for economic espionage.
The DGSE headquarters are located in Paris’ 20th arrondissement. In total, it employs more than six thousand people.
G.U. is the Russian acronym for the country’s military intelligence service, the Main Directorate. The more commonly used acronym GRU corresponds to its former name, Main Intelligence Directorate. The acronym for the latter is still in widespread use. It answers to the general chief of staff and the Russian defense minister.
Officially, the agency’s scope includes supplying military intelligence to the president and government. More saliently, though, its published aims also include ensuring Russia’s economic, and technological security.
In this framework, the GRU has run several global hacking campaigns. Targets have included institutions from anti-doping bodies to nuclear power companies. Most notoriously, international exports believe that the GRU was involved in cyber attacks during the 2016 US presidential election.
Russia runs two other prominent intelligence and security services – the Foreign Intelligence Service, or SVR, and the Federal Security Service, or FSB. Both emerged from the Soviet-era KGB.
The current intelligence agency of China, the Ministry of State Security, has existed since 1983.
Its gathers intelligence on those that could be seen as enemies with the goal of overthrowing or otherwise dismantling the socialist government of China. As such, it plays a major role in censoring China’s internet, cutting off the country’s population from the outside world.
In addition, the MSS is heavily involved in economic espionage. International analysts believe that Chinese telecommunications provider Huawei also contributes to gathering intelligence.
The MSS has over 100,000 intelligence personnel operating both within China and scattered throughout the world. Headquarters are located Beijing. Overall, the MSS has 17 known bureaus or divisions, including a counterintelligence division and a social research division.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) gathers intelligence on threats to Canada’s national security. Since its foundation in 1984, it has conducted operations, both covert and overt, domestically and abroad.
From its headquarters in Ottawa, the CSIS answers to Parliament and the Minister of Public Safety. It works closely with intelligence agencies from other countries, including the United States. In 2020-21, it has a budget of $651 million.
The agency has faced criticism several times. In the 1990s, it was accused of spying on Canadian citizens.
More recently, the CSIS has been criticized for fostering homophobia and racism.
The Australian Secret Intelligence Service has its founding date in 1952. For more than twenty years, the existence of the agency was a secret even within the Australian government. The public only learned about it in 1972, when the Daily Telegraph ran an exposé about spy recruitment at universities.
ASIS forms part of the Australian Intelligence Community. Similar to the CIA, it collects foreign intelligence, counter-intelligence, and liaising with the intelligence agencies of other countries. In particular, its focus lies on gathering intelligence from the Asian and Pacific regions using agents stationed in a wide variety of areas.
Finally, India’s intelligence agency is the Research and Analysis Wing or RAW. Despite its inconspicuous name, RAW is one of the premier intelligence agencies in the world.
Founded in 1968, RAW’s main objective is to gather foreign intelligence, particularly about India’s neighbor, Pakistan. Throughout the years, Pakistan has continued to be a primary target of its intelligence gathering efforts.
Estimates say that RAW employs more than eight thousand field agents in various locations throughout the world. The agency also coordinates with other intelligence agencies. In particular, it regularly communicates with the CIA and Mossad in regard to monitoring Pakistan’s nuclear program.
Pictures are courtesy of creative commons.
Note: This post was originally published on May 5 2010. We have since updated it.
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The US govenment, military and CIA are relying on ISI intelligence and close communication in Afghanistan and Pakistan ever since they've invaded Afghan land in late 2001. That is the reason why each week, at least one top level (US MP and CIA officials) visit Islamabad! You could also put India and UK in that list. India are always begging (requesting is a kind word) to Pakistan to do more against terror, in places such as Kashmir, where the ISI did and still could make Raws and India's military's life a hell. India are always asking for the help of Pakistan's ISI and military establishment to bond a close link and communication between both governments and ISI/ Raw. India also gets the US to pressure Pakistan. This pressure was doubled after 26/11 after the nonsensical attacks in Mumbai, I don't understand how a group of guys came on a boat ladan with sophisticated weapons and war heads without being spotted or stopped on Indian check points. Like 9/11 something does not really add up! The UK government also rely's on Pakistan's ISI ever since they teamed up with there Masters to invade Afghanistan and Iraq, and then off course 7/7. So I would say, all the world today rely's on Pakistan's powerful ISI and Military establishment, something that is VERY hard for Indians, Americans and Israelis to swallow!!!
Welldone Pakistan ISI and Military establishment for protecting the countries Nuclear weapons from the CIA! I also salute you for not allowing/agreeing for any US/Nato boots to do a ground offensive inside Pakistani soil. Afghanistan was a excuse, Pakistan and its beautiful nukes was the real target - but you guys have done a fantastic job and we are proud of you! There's just less than two years now, until US forces start pulling out of Afghanistan, keep up the good work, and please unite Bolochistan, sindh and make Imran Khan win the next election - everybody is allowed at least a chance! Pak force zindabad, Pakistan piandabad!!!!
Oh and I almost forgot to mention one last amazing aspect. Well done ISI for destroying the CIA network which was being runned by (killer CIA contractor) Raymond Davies, inside Lahore, Pakistan. After the killer was caught, a number of mobile phones, maps, hotspot destinations for the next CIA bombings were known. What also was recovered was nuclear designs which were to be handed to US backed militants operating inside Pakistan, all this was recovered inside this w****** car. The ISI also found out that the CIA are building a secret under ground tunnel at there embassy in Islamabad, thanks to this thugs mess, the tunnel was found and the work got cut. The ISI had shamed and exposed the CIA. Then shameless John Kerry then arrived Pakistan and begged for him to be pardon and eventully the shamed Raymond Davies was given the back door. Then in the weeks to follow Pakistan sent more than 500 US contractors back home and restricted any US contrators/workers from entering Peshawar by car from Islamabad, and that rule is still applying today!
Why do dum people believe that Osama bin Laden died on May 2nd in Abbotabad? I mean who's seen Bin Laden's dead body? The Navy Seals? Who work for US government agenda? Barrack Obama? Hilary Clinton? Pakistan ISI officials? Or us the viewers? The answer is no one! The western world and there puppets backed regimes are the only ones who believe this story because Mr Barrack Obama and the US government said so. The same US government who falsely accused Iraq of having WMD ready to be launch into US and UK. While UK's then PM Mr Blair, lied to his own nation, to join his masters in Iraq, with a misleading 45 minute dossier! Well back to May 2nd, Mr Obama confirms "Justice has been done" lol. But what justice?? "Red Navy Seals have earlier this morning captured and killed Bin Laden in Abbotabad, Pakistan." Mr Obama followed by saying that the world's most wanted man was "laid to rest in the sea" ha ha ha ha. Well Pakistan's ISI and the countries defence system was not disabled, like reported. A US helicoptor was shot down by Pakistan's air defence missle and three outsiders were confirmed dead on the scene, presumingly US Navy seals. This report was all over Pakistan news channels just minutes after the incident including Ary digital news. But later on the Pakistan puppet government changed the whole script and covered-up the truth. The other US seals managed to complete the daring mission they came from Kandahar to do? That was to drop Osama's wife and kids in that compand .. While doing so they also shot a old watch gaurd who the US claimed to be Osama's body guard, the Pakistan fighter jets did eventully catch up to ENEMY helicoptors but like the drones they were not given the signal to shoot down the helicoptors which indeed belonged to the world's super power. The US and Western world have the most powerful media's so no country or world leader openly questioned Mr Obama's farce story. If Pakistan's ISI was hiding OBL I'm sure this powerful proffesional institution, would have had a plan B, if the worse happend! Had OBL the world's and wests most wanted man been caught or killed I'm postive the US would have shown his photo's the way they showed us Saddam Husseins. Then a few months later, the same so called "hero red navy seals" who killed OBL all perished in a strange helicoptor crash, werew they murdered by the US CIA, to finish the truth about May 2nd? I won't count against it. However with the deaths of these 'navy seals' the truth also died!
100% agree with u Imran...
I almost forgot to mention? Mr Obama claimed that US managed to disable Pakistani air defence systems for a while - by which time Navy seals killed and took OBL body back to Kandahar. But Pakistani security officials and civillians had a totally different version to tell just minutes after the explosion. This was it ... There was a complete blackout of the city, it seemed as if the country was under enemy attack. My point, it means Pakistan air defence system did pick up enemy incursion and alert the security officials to commence a total electrical black out. Then minutes after, there was a loud explosion, heard towards the compound with a big fire on the scene. That was one of the US navy seal helicoptor that was picked up and shot down by Pakistani air defence. In the following days, after assessing the helicoptor wreckage, Pakistan security officials also confirmed that the scud missle that shot down enemy helicoptor, was the same missile system that Pakistan air defence system has. The Abbotabad civillians and witnesses had a total different version of events to that of Mr Obama's story! But who will dare question Mr Obama and challenge the US and western media!
ISI is the best followed by CIA
but nearly MSS will be the best
The Afghan Jihad against the Soviets was supported by Pakistan's ISI.
‘The Strategy of Thousand Cuts’ resulted in Soviet withdrawal.
After the fall of Berlin wall, a piece of the wall was presented to the brilliant DG ISI General Hamid Gul with the inspiration – ‘One who helped deliver the first blow’
pak is the best as well as the i.s.i .. Indians fighting and games of deaths is not ur business becoz u cant so give ur consternation to movies.... p
..
Though im an Indian I agree that isi is far more superior than raw acc to their past records...and the real problem has started due to USA and Israel ...USA is funding Israel and giving them weapons to kill people in Islamic nations...cause Israeli. Really hate Muslims...and USA spends billion dollar to make weapons ....so they ought to use them....they first destroyed Afghanistan with drone strikes and then they give them funds for development...usa is the major cause for all the wars because they want to show the world their superiority over other countries...people say that alqaida and Taliban are terrorist groups but they r not...they hv their own ideology...usa killed so many innocent people with their drone attacks...and also when they invaded Afghanistan....so I assume that USA r major war criminals...and as far as Pakistan is concerned they r only trying to protect their own interest...so saying it a terrorist nation would be wrong
Thank you so much Vinayak for these kind & humble words for Muslims & Pakistan..
You are an Indian & it makes me so shocked but happy that every Indian is not same, some of them really knows the reality like u :)
You are truely great Vinayak.. Hatts off to you :)
I love the way you talked about the real face of usa and thier deeds.... you love justice and solute you and your this attitude,,,
regards....