Appointment of Chairman by Russian President Vladimir Putin State Duma The sixth convocation of Sergei Naryshkin to the post of director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) aroused quite a wide interest in the question of what kind of intelligence services exist in our country, how they differ and what they do. Despite the fact that the essence of the activity is already contained in their names, very often ideas about them are reduced either to the content of films about James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Stirlitz and Fox Mulder, or to the representation of subjects in black raincoats and dark glasses, because watching civilians around the corner. Let us try, however, without revealing the professional secrets of the activities of the special services, to talk clearly about their purpose and work.
Things from days gone by
Let's start with the fact that intelligence services in one form or another existed and exist always and everywhere, in the sense, in all countries of the world, including even among tribes lost in the wilds of the Amazon. This is due to their main purpose - to find out about the future plans of various external forces- from neighbors to the forces of nature, as well as to protect one’s tribe or state from any hostile activity of enemies, especially in terms of protecting secrets and protecting the life of the leader, king, president and other top officials. Accordingly, these issues are dealt with by intelligence, counterintelligence and the leadership security service, which is sometimes also included in counterintelligence. In relation to Russia, this is the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Federal service security (FSB) and the Federal Security Service (FSO), in relation to the USA - Central intelligence agency(CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The history of intelligence services goes back to ancient times: probably, the Neanderthals sent their scouts to observe the neighboring tribe, whether it was preparing to attack them, and also guarded their strategic secret - a fire burning in a cave.
If we talk about history documented at least in myths and legends, then we must start with the Holy Scriptures. If you think about it, according to the Bible, the first intelligence officer was Adam: exploring the world, he had to understand for himself what was created by God and why. But the lack of counterintelligence in paradise led to the penetration there of an enemy agent of influence in the form of the Serpent-Tempter, who represented the interests of the devil. The serpent managed to influence Eve, and through her, Adam, which led to catastrophic consequences for the inhabitants of paradise.
The Bible also describes the first technical reconnaissance campaign: during the Great Flood, Noah launched various birds from the ark, and a dove brought him olive branch, obtained for him invaluable information about the emergence of land from under water.
In the ancient myths of Egypt, India, and Greece, one can also find many examples of the activities of those who can be considered prototypes of the special services. For example, from Greek myth it is known that the operation with the Trojan Horse almost failed: the priest Laocoon, who had information about the cunning of the Danaans, and, in fact, performed the functions of a military counterintelligence officer, threw a spear at a suspicious structure to check and warned the military leaders of Troy about possible negative consequences. They did not listen to Laocoon (however, the bad tradition of not trusting the information of one’s intelligence services has survived to this day, of which there are many examples), which led to the death of the city.
From Borodino to Red October
Over time, collection important information about neighboring states was divided into three streams - diplomacy, journalism and intelligence, differing mainly in the degree of secrecy of the information obtained. At the same time, intelligence was divided into military and political, depending on the nature and purpose of the information collected. In relation to Russia, the intelligence service is approximately modern form was created as a result Patriotic War 1812 by General, later Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly (whom, by the way, some, in particular the intensely glorified General Bagration, were unreasonably accused of belonging to enemy agents).
Somewhat later, during the reign of Nicholas I and Alexander II, a counterintelligence body was created - the Third Department of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery, which was responsible for the supervision of politically unreliable persons and investigation. Executive body The third section was the Separate Corps of Gendarmes. One can get some idea of their activities based on Boris Akunin’s novels about Erast Fandorin. Because the Third Section persecuted would-be revolutionaries, it was only mentioned in negative terms for many years. But its employees have accomplished many glorious deeds, although the organization was unable to prevent revolutionary events in the Russian Empire.
Nevertheless, modern Russian intelligence services trace their ancestry to post-revolutionary Soviet agencies. Thus, on December 20 (new style), 1917, the All-Russian Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage under the Council was created people's commissars RSFSR, abbreviated as VChK. It was headed by Felix Dzerzhinsky.
About one of the most bright stories The work of the Cheka was described in the television series “Operation Trust”.
Subsequently, the Cheka was transformed into the State Political Directorate (GPU), the People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD), the Ministry state security USSR (MGB), USSR State Security Committee (KGB), USSR Interrepublican Security Service (MSB).
On December 20, 1920, the Foreign Department (INO) of the Cheka was organized within the structure of the NKVD of the RSFSR - it revived intelligence in our country. INO was headed by Yakov Davydov (Davtyan). Subsequently, the Foreign Department became the First Main Directorate of the KGB of the USSR (PGU). In parallel, there was also military intelligence - the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU). We can also mention the existence of special services, about which little is still known. So, in the 1940s, in our country there was the most mysterious and top-secret intelligence service, called State Control or People's Control, supposedly subordinate to Joseph Stalin personally. One can only guess what she was doing. The grandfather of one of the authors of these lines was associated with this organization for several years. Being a military cartographer, for some reason in 1941 he flew with a special group to the German rear to blow up our strategic warehouses remaining in the occupied territory. However, my grandfather never talked about working at the State Control Agency, answering all requests even many years later strictly: “No! I gave a subscription!
Heroes of the past
Many books have been written and films made about the work of Soviet intelligence. The exploits of Nikolai Kuznetsov, Richard Sorge, Rudolf Abel (Heinrich Fischer) are well known. Much has been written about our intelligence officers receiving secrets. atomic weapons, thanks to which we generally exist as a state, some participants in this work are still alive. Publications often appear about the work of the so-called “Cambridge Five”. Much less is known about the activities of Konon Molodoy, who became the prototype of the main character of the film “Dead Season”. It is a virtually unknown fact that the heroine of The Young Guard, Lyubov Shevtsova, was a Soviet intelligence officer specially left behind enemy lines. Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya also underwent training at the intelligence school. But Stirlitz, alas, is a character invented by Yulian Semyonov. However, Soviet intelligence had its own agent in the Gestapo - Willy Lehman, with the operational pseudonym "Breitenbach".
It is impossible to talk about the numerous affairs of Soviet intelligence officers in a short article. True information about them can be read in the six-volume edition “Essays on the History of Russian Foreign Intelligence” published in the 1990s.
It remains to add that after the collapse of the USSR, the structural departments that were previously part of the State Security Committee became independent intelligence services. Thus, the First Main Directorate became the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), the Second Main Directorate became the Federal Security Service (FSB). The Federal Security Service (FSO) and some other special services also stood out.
Nowadays
Our experts talk about the basics of the work of modern Russian intelligence services.
Editor-in-chief of the magazine "National Defense"Igor Korotchenko:
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, in fact, are engaged in a common cause - obtaining secrets of foreign states for our country. Only one service specializes in political and economic information, and the other in military information, which is necessary for assessment external threats and developing methods to neutralize them. Although the SVR and the GRU can sometimes engage in overlapping areas of activity.
The Federal Security Service was created to combat foreign espionage and other threats within the country.
According to the expert, the appointment of Sergei Naryshkin to the post of head of the SVR is a natural personnel rotation.
IN modern world without special services it is impossible to carry out correct foreign policy or fend off threats within the country. Therefore, any country has its own special services, and the level of their professionalism determines the country’s ability to withstand certain forms of pressure.
In the context of an aggravation of the military-political situation in the world, when the efforts of a number of countries are directed at Russia to introduce economic and political sanctions, and attempts to destabilize the socio-political situation within the country. Objectively, the role and place of both intelligence and counterintelligence is increasing.
President of the Center for Geopolitical Analysis Colonel GeneralLeonid Ivashov:
Intelligence services largely determine the domestic and foreign policy of the state. In order to understand how effectively they work, you should look at the results of defending the interests of a particular country in the international arena.
According to the expert, intelligence services provide the country's leadership with information about the intentions and plans of other states: partners, rivals and adversaries. This information is necessary to determine the political course of the state.
Mikhail Fradkov came and headed the Foreign Intelligence Service when Russia’s priority was the need for economic cooperation with the West, promoting the interests of our companies, primarily fuel and energy companies, in the international market. And the intelligence service ensured this priority in solving state problems.
The SVR at that time was focused on economic intelligence. It revealed the intentions of foreign states and companies that competed with our monopolies, especially in the oil and gas field. Security issues were, I would say, in the background, because at that time we had “peace and friendship” with the USA and Europe.
Today the situation has changed dramatically: sanctions have been introduced against us. Perhaps intelligence did not address this threat in time. One way or another, national security issues are now coming to the fore. In fact, war has been declared on us: while we are not being bombed, we are being attacked with information strikes, cyber weapons, military conflicts are being unleashed on our borders and our interests are being squeezed out of other regions. Under these conditions, Mikhail Fradkov, a specialist in the field of foreign economics, who has never worked in the intelligence services before, is no longer suitable for the post of head of the SVR. He has already fulfilled his role, so he must give up his place to a person who will realize the interests of our state in the field of security.
Sergei Naryshkin is familiar with the work of the special services, and now with the general world situation and its trends further development and threats to Russia, which he became familiar with as speaker of the State Duma during numerous international trips and contacts.
Do you feel like someone is following you, reading your email and listening to your telephone conversations? Don't rush to see a psychiatrist! It could be THEM! No, not aliens, but quite real people- intelligence officers. And don’t think that you are too insignificant to be of interest to the knights of the cloak and dagger. Do you have relatives abroad? What a reason to watch! Who doesn’t have them now, you say? Do you know what exactly they do? No? And the intelligence services are aware! Speaking seriously, the intelligence services of any country now have a wide enough potential to track down almost anyone. Does this mean that someone can periodically spy on you? Well, if your activities may be of at least some interest to the intelligence services, then this is quite possible. So, we bring to your attention a list of the ten most influential intelligence agencies in the world.
10. German Federal Intelligence Service, BND
The German Federal Intelligence Service is the German foreign intelligence service, created in 1955 on the basis of the so-called “General Gehlen organization”. It is the largest federal institution in Germany in terms of the number of employees. The BND has a staff of about 7 thousand employees, of which 2 thousand are engaged in collecting intelligence abroad. The main tasks of the department are the collection and analysis of intelligence. information, as well as identifying and countering threats to the sovereignty and interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. The BND also devotes a significant portion of its resources to the fight against terrorism.
9. Directorate General for External Security, DGSE (France)
The Directorate General of External Security is the main foreign intelligence agency of France, created on April 2, 1982. Its mission is to provide intelligence and national security, particularly through paramilitary and counterintelligence operations abroad. The main office is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. The staff as of 2011 totals 4,747 people. As with most other intelligence agencies, the details of its activities and organization are not made public.
In eighth place in the list of the best intelligence services in the world is the Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China - an intelligence service whose main functions are counterintelligence, foreign and internal intelligence, as well as political security of the Chinese People's Republic. It was created on June 6, 1983. The headquarters is located in Beijing.
7. Australian Secret Intelligence Service, ASIS
The Australian Secret Intelligence Service, headquartered in Canberra, is responsible for intelligence collection, counterintelligence and liaison with other countries' intelligence services. It was created on May 13, 1952. However, the Australian government officially confirmed its existence only in 1977. It is interesting that the training of the first ASIS employees was carried out by employees of the British MI6.
6. Research and Analysis Department, RAW (India)
The Research and Analysis Division, India's foreign intelligence service, is considered one of the best intelligence agencies in the world. It was created in September 1968. Its main functions are foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, covert operations, obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and ensuring the security of India's nuclear program.
5. Intelligence and Special Tasks Agency, Mossad (Israel)
Mossad is Israel's national intelligence service, an analogue of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It is considered one of the most effective and professional intelligence services in the world. Its main tasks are the collection and analysis of intelligence. information, as well as conducting secret special operations outside the country. The organization was formed in March 1951. The main office is located in Tel Aviv on King Shaul Boulevard. Currently, the estimated number of Mossad employees is 1,200. The most famous successful operations of this department are: the search and kidnapping of the Nazi included in the rating of the most cruel rulers in history, Adolf Eichmann, the kidnapping of nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu, eliminating the causes of the Munich massacre on Olympic Games in 1972 and many others.
4. Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, FSB
Federal Security Service Russian Federation- Russian National Security Service, successor to the KGB. Its main functions are counterintelligence, intelligence and border activities, the fight against terrorism, corruption and especially dangerous forms of crime, as well as ensuring information security. It was formed on April 3, 1995. The headquarters is located in the main building of the former KGB on Lubyanka, Moscow.
3. British Secret Intelligence Service, MI6
The British Secret Intelligence Service is the UK's foreign intelligence service, headquartered in London. It was founded in 1909. However, its existence was officially recognized only in 1994. The main tasks of MI6 are the fight against espionage (counterintelligence), as well as the collection, processing and analysis of political, economic, technical and scientific information threatening British interests.
2. Central Intelligence Agency, CIA (USA)
Central Intelligence Agency - American secret agency The main functions of which are to conduct covert operations, as well as collect and analyze information about foreign governments, organizations, companies and individuals. The special service was created in 1947. The headquarters is located in Langley, Virginia, 13 km from Washington.
1. Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence, ISI
The best intelligence agency in the world is the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence, created in 1948. Known as the most influential, powerful and well-equipped intelligence agency in the Islamic world. Its headquarters consists of several buildings and is located in Islamabad. According to some experts, the ISI is the largest intelligence agency in the world in terms of number of employees. Although they total number never made public, it is estimated to be around 10,000.
Agents of such intelligence and counterintelligence services are feared all over the world, their names are classified, their faces are hidden from view. ordinary people. Despite the fact that information about them is marked “Classified,” some things still leak to the press. We offer you ten intelligence services that have remained the most active for many years.
1 ISI
First on the list is ISI - Pakistani Intelligence, for the purpose of exchanging military information between the commanders-in-chief of the Pakistani armed forces. It was created in 1948, and on given time has about ten thousand of its agents around the world.
2 CIA
CIA - American intelligence agency known all over the world. She conducted more than six international operations, the most famous of them is Operation Cyclops, which took place during the war in Afghanistan. The forces of this intelligence service are devoted not only to collecting intelligence abroad, secret operations and anti-terrorism, but also to advising politicians.
3 MI6
MI6 is a British creation that is often compared to the American CIA. Intelligence can boast a high level of efficiency in completing tasks, and a well-thought-out operating structure domestic policy. The most amazing fact we can assume that this structure recruits its agents via the Internet.
4
FSB - Russian intelligence. It was created in 1995, and since then the staff has increased to 350 thousand people. Border security, intelligence, anti-terrorist activities and counterintelligence - all this falls under the jurisdiction of the FSB.
DGSE is a French intelligence service formed back in 1982. Its main tasks are national security and intelligence gathering. The intelligence service is part of the defense structure of the Ministry of Defense throughout France. The last successful operation of this intelligence service was carried out in May 2011, when its agents were sent to support Libyan rebels.
6 BND
The BND is a German intelligence service that was created on April 1, 1956. Its staff consists of more than 6 thousand employees. Its agents carried out many successful operations, especially a banking operation in Liechtenstein.
7
MOSSAD is a well-known Israeli counterintelligence agency created in 1949. Its head reports directly to the president of the country. The latest, most scandalous lately The operation was called the murder of Mahmoud al-Mambhouh.
8 RAW
RAW is an Indian intelligence agency whose creation was recorded on September 21, 1968. Main tasks: covert operations, information collection and anti-terrorism. At the end of 2009, RAW officers in Nepal carried out several successful operations and most of the suspects were brought to justice.
9 A.S.I.S.
ASIS is an Australian intelligence service created in 1952. Responsible for collecting intelligence and protecting Australia's economic interests. The intelligence service took part in Papua New Guinea, where she contributed to the suppression of the independence movement in several cities.
10 CSIS
CSIS is a Canadian military intelligence agency created in the image of MI6 and the CIA. It was created in 1984. CSIS works closely with US intelligence and assists it in many operations.
No, not aliens, but very real people - intelligence officers.
Below is a list of the ten best intelligence agencies in the world.
10
The German Federal Intelligence Service is the German foreign intelligence service, created in 1955 on the basis of the so-called “General Gehlen organization”. It is the largest federal institution in Germany in terms of the number of employees. The BND has a staff of about 7 thousand employees, of which 2 thousand are engaged in collecting intelligence abroad. The main tasks of the department are the collection and analysis of intelligence. information, as well as identifying and countering threats to the sovereignty and interests of the Federal Republic of Germany. The BND also devotes a significant portion of its resources to the fight against terrorism.
9
Directorate General for External Security, DGSE (France)
The Directorate General of External Security is the main foreign intelligence agency of France, created on April 2, 1982. Its mission is to provide intelligence and national security, particularly through paramilitary and counterintelligence operations abroad. The main office is located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. The staff as of 2011 totals 4,747 people. As with most other intelligence agencies, the details of its activities and organization are not made public.
8
In eighth place in the list of the best intelligence services in the world is the Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China - an intelligence service whose main functions are counterintelligence, foreign and internal intelligence, as well as political security of the People's Republic of China. It was created on June 6, 1983. The headquarters is located in Beijing.
7
Australian Secret Intelligence Service, ASIS
The Australian Secret Intelligence Service, headquartered in Canberra, is responsible for intelligence collection, counterintelligence and liaison with other countries' intelligence services. It was created on May 13, 1952. However, the Australian government officially confirmed its existence only in 1977. It is interesting that the training of the first ASIS employees was carried out by employees of the British MI6.
6
Research and Analysis Department, RAW (India)
One of the best intelligence agencies in the world is considered to be the Research and Analysis Department - India's foreign intelligence service. It was created in September 1968. Its main functions are foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, covert operations, obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and ensuring the security of India's nuclear program.
5
Intelligence and Special Tasks Agency, Mossad (Israel)
Mossad is Israel's national intelligence service, an analogue of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It is considered one of the most effective and professional intelligence services in the world. Its main tasks are the collection and analysis of intelligence. information, as well as conducting secret special operations outside the country. The organization was formed in March 1951. The main office is located in Tel Aviv on King Shaul Boulevard. Currently, the estimated number of Mossad employees is 1,200. The most famous successful operations of this department are: the search and abduction of the Nazi included in the rating of the most cruel rulers in history, Adolf Eichmann, the abduction of nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu, eliminating the causes of the Munich massacre at the Olympic Games in 1972 and many others.
4
Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, FSB
The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation is the national security service of Russia, the successor to the KGB. Its main functions are counterintelligence, intelligence and border activities, the fight against terrorism, corruption and especially dangerous forms of crime, as well as ensuring information security. It was formed on April 3, 1995. The headquarters is located in the main building of the former KGB on Lubyanka, Moscow.
3
British Secret Intelligence Service, MI6
The British Secret Intelligence Service is the UK's foreign intelligence service, headquartered in London. It was founded in 1909. However, its existence was officially recognized only in 1994. The main tasks of MI6 are the fight against espionage (counterintelligence), as well as the collection, processing and analysis of political, economic, technical and scientific information that threatens the interests of Great Britain.
2
Central Intelligence Agency, CIA (USA)
The Central Intelligence Agency is an American intelligence agency whose main functions are to conduct covert operations, as well as collect and analyze information about foreign governments, organizations, companies and individuals. The special service was created in 1947. The headquarters is located in Langley, Virginia, 13 km from Washington.
1
The best intelligence agency in the world is the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence, created in 1948. Known as the most influential, powerful and well-equipped intelligence agency in the Islamic world. Its headquarters consists of several buildings and is located in Islamabad. According to some experts, the ISI is the largest intelligence agency in the world in terms of number of employees. Although their total number has never been made public, it is estimated to be around 10,000.
It was previously reported that US intelligence agencies
In the modern world, given the tense political situation, the role of special intelligence services has greatly increased. The “James Bonds” of the 21st century not only perform tasks familiar to intelligence officers, but also actively work in the information space. Today, most countries in the world have their own intelligence services, but only a few of them are truly distinguished by their high professional level and enormous capabilities.
Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR)
The SVR is the successor to the former 1st Main Directorate (PGU) of the KGB of the USSR, which was responsible for foreign political intelligence. Very little is known about the activities of the SVR - this is perhaps the most secret Russian intelligence service. But, judging by the reaction of the West, modern Russian intelligence officers are working for high level. Even during the Cold War, Washington did not accuse Moscow of influencing American elections.
Soldiers of the special unit of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service "Zaslon" and Russian journalist Dmitry Kiselev in Syria
The SVR is also active in the Middle East, where it has to decide very important tasks in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and other countries.
US Central Intelligence Agency
The CIA is the most popular intelligence service in the world. What is not attributed to American agents! Meanwhile, many CIA operations can indeed be called very successful, and this is not only the usual recruitment of agents and theft of classified information, but also such large-scale actions as “color revolutions” in the post-Soviet space, in Arab countries. The Ukrainian Maidan is sometimes also called a CIA special operation. At the very least, there is no doubt that American foreign intelligence played a very important role in organizing the coup in Kyiv and the subsequent anti-Russian turn in Ukraine.
Mossad
Israeli intelligence is considered one of the most professional and tough intelligence services in the world. Its most famous actions are the liquidation of many leaders of Arab radical organizations, Iranian nuclear scientists, and the identification of Nazi war criminals. It is known that now only about a thousand career employees serve in the Mossad, but Israeli intelligence officers have entangled almost the entire world in a network of agents. And this brings results - for example, intelligence officers eliminated all the terrorists who captured and killed Israeli athletes during the Olympics in Munich in 1972.
The British Foreign Office's secret intelligence service, MI6, is one of the oldest modern intelligence services. It was created back in 1909 and went through the First and Second World Wars, numerous conflicts in the colonies, and the Cold War between the West and the USSR.
British intelligence building MI6 in London
Now the whole world is literally crammed with British agents who work in close contact with their American colleagues - the Anglo-Saxons remain allies in the secret war. Zone special attention MI6 – East Europe, former British colonies in Africa, Middle East.
ISI Pakistan
The Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence was created during the Cold War under the direct patronage of the US CIA. However, then the intelligence service turned into a powerful independent structure, which today has the largest number of agents. Areas of interest include Muslim countries of Central Asia and the Middle East, India, European countries. The Pakistani intelligence service acts harshly and aggressively, mercilessly punishing the enemies of the Pakistani state and organizing all kinds of provocations against countries that are potential opponents. During the Soviet participation in the war in Afghanistan, the ISI maintained close ties with the mujahideen.
Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China
The MGB of the People's Republic of China is a large and cumbersome structure similar to the Soviet KGB, responsible for both foreign intelligence and counterintelligence and political security. The Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China includes operational departments that are in charge of foreign political intelligence, scientific, technical and economic intelligence, intelligence in disputed territories (Taiwan), intelligence from the territory of the Middle Kingdom itself, etc.
Considering the large number of Chinese diasporas in the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe, one can imagine the reach of Chinese foreign intelligence.
Iranian Ministry of Information and National Security
In Iran, as in China, the functions of the intelligence services are concentrated in a single structure responsible for intelligence, counterintelligence, and the fight against terrorism. Iranian agents are especially active in nearby countries of the Middle East, especially in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan - that is, in those countries where significant Shiite communities live and Tehran has strategic interests.
MIT - National Intelligence Organization of Turkey
The Turkish intelligence agency combines the functions of foreign intelligence and internal secret political police. One of the main tasks of MIT is the fight against the enemies of the Turkish state, which include leftist and Kurdish organizations, and some religious fundamentalist movements. In addition, MIT is actively working in countries with a significant proportion of the Turkic population and in nearby states - Syria and Iraq. However, the intelligence service also had well-known failures - for example, MIT was exposed in supplying weapons to extremists in Syria.
BND - German Federal Intelligence Service
The emergence of its own foreign intelligence service (Bundesnachrichtendienst) in post-war West Germany was a result of the country's inclusion in the Cold War. An echo of Germany's defeat in World War II is the ban on organizing any subversive activities in other states.
However, the BND is considered one of the most knowledgeable intelligence agencies, possessing huge amounts of information.
DGSE - Directorate General for External Security of France
In France, foreign political intelligence is combined with military intelligence and together forms part of General Director external security, subordinate to the French Ministry of Defense. French intelligence officers include civilian personnel (civil servants) and officers and sergeants of the French armed forces. Among the most important areas are reconnaissance of the forces of a potential enemy in Europe, operations in former French colonies, and the fight against terrorism.