An intelligence Agency is a sector in the country that works solely for the safety and security of the nation in literally every way possible. Collection, analysis and exploitation of information and intelligence that later aids in providing national security, defense, enforcement of laws and defining foreign policy objectives; are some of the functions a good intelligence agency serves.
After extensive research we discovered that when it comes to the World’s Top-Ranking Intelligence Agencies Pakistan’s ISI comes in at No. 1. According to All Top Tens, we present you the top ten spy agencies.
10. Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS), Australia
The ASIS came to being in 1952 and was responsible for collecting intelligence, undertaking counter-intelligence and mainly coordinating with other agencies overseas. The ASIS has been subjected to extreme scrutiny over the years after 1994 in which people claimed that the agency was holding thousands of secret files on ordinary citizens.
9. Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India
India’s external agency was created in 1968 as a result of the country’s poor intelligence performance in its recent conflicts against Pakistan and China. Much of R&AW’s energy has been focused on its neighbors — Mainly Us! During the Kargil War in Kashmir in 1999, R&AW was able to unearth links between Pakistani intelligence and infiltrated militant groups in Kashmir Valley.
8. Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Canada
Created fairly recently in 1984, there are over 2449 employees in the Intelligence department. The CSIS is patterned after the CIA and MI6, in that it is a civilian agency completely detached from the military or police. They come in at No. 8 also because of the high amount of scrutiny they were under after the Air India flight bombing and their poor performance in the investigation that followed.
7. Direction Generale De La Securite Exterieure (DGSE), France
The DGSE was also formed (somewhat) recently replacing the old SDECE in 1982, and was made quickly responsible for gathering intelligence, as well as keeping track of any espionage activities against French national interests.
6. The Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations (MOSSAD), Israel
One of the globe’s oldest and most active intelligence agencies, MOSSAD was founded in 1949 and has been operational ever since. It is responsible for intelligence collection, counter-terrorism and various covert operations. MOSSAD is a civilian wing that no government sector has any influence over with the agency reporting directly to the Head of State.
5. Federal Security Services (FSB), Russia
Founded in the early 1990’s, FSB is the main security agency of Russia. The main job description of FSB is to collect intelligence, protecting national interests, and taking counter-terrorism steps to enhancing the nation’s security.
4. Ministry of State Security (MSS), China
The Agency was formed in 1983 and is accountable for intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism operations and foreign intelligence. Commonly it gathers information about the enemies of Communist Party of China.
3. Secret Intelligence Services (MI6), United Kingdom
Created prior to World War I to primarily keep a close eye on the activities of the imperial German government, MI6 has since been heavily involved in major conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries. MI6, in conjunction with the CIA, effectively toppled several regimes, most notoriously in Iran in 1953 and Congo in 1961.
2. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), United States of America
CIA was founded in the year 1947, the same year as Pakistan’s independence. The CIA has three stated functions: obtaining and analyzing data on foreigners, working with and for propaganda and public relations, and finally, covert operations at the direction of the President. The CIA has gained a notorious reputation in the intelligence world for their bold practices and high-profile assassination “attempts” both successful and unsuccessful.
1. Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan
Ranked as the No. 1 Spy Agency in the World by American Crime News, the ISI came to being in 1948, a year after Indo-Pak partition. As reported the ISI has been named the strongest and best intelligence agency, functioning in the most deceptive and ‘invisible’ fashion. The ISI works in the shadows to neutralize threats to the country and protect our most valuable assets. The major aim of the agency is to protect national interests and pay heed to the matters of political and social importance, while also advising the military in taking appropriate counter-measures.
