When the FBI Comes Calling…®
Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks (ha- Mossad le-Modiin Ule-Tafkidim Meyuhadim), most widely known as the "Mossad" (Israel)
Founded: Believed to have been created around 1951
Mission: Known as perhaps the premier intelligence agency in the world, the Mossad maintains Israel's primary foreign intelligence collection and covert operations entity. It's responsibilities are weide-ranging, from HUMINT collection (primarily abroad), counterterrorist special operations, and counterintelligence. Within the Mossad, there are eight major departments:
- HUMINT Intelligence Collection
- Foreign Affairs
- Operational planning and coordination
- Science and Technology
- TECHINT operations
- Research and development
- Education and training
- Administrative services
Structure: The director of the Mossad (Rosh-ha-Mossad) is appointed by the Prime Minister and approved by the parliament (Knesset). The Rosh-ha-Mossad reports directly to the Prime Minister, once in place.
Historical Note: The Mossad owes its reputation as one of the world's best intelligence agencies, in large part, to five different incidents:
- Obtaining a soviet MIG for Israeli inspection during the height of the Cold War
- Obtaining a copy of the infamous Nikita Krushchev speech given during a close-door meeting of the Communist party repudiating the Stalin era
- Kidnapping (rendering) of Nazi fugitive Adolf Eichman from Argentina
- Assassination of Hezbullah leader Abbas Moussaoui
- Assistance of provided to the Israeli Air Force in the bombing of Iraqi WMD facilities