Mossad - Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks

The Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks, usually known as the Mossad, is Israel's most important and powerful intelligence agency. Mossad is involved with human intelligence and well protected covert actions.

Formed in nineteen fifty one to find and kill fugitive Nazi war criminals and other nasty war people, the agency began as a bunch of Special Forces units. Mossad maintains that organizational tradition today, and contains several small forces tasked with responsibilities and very covert operations.

Mossad task force agents assist with the transit of Jewish refugees out of hostile territories or war zones, attempt to infiltrate and stop Palestinian nationalist groups, and execute counterintelligence operations.

In addition to numerous specialized forces, the Mossad maintains 8 divisions. The Collections Department, Mossad's biggest, administers Israel's extensive human intelligence network. The department focuses on secret foreign intelligence operations, conducting espionage under a number of diplomatic and industrial covers.

The Political Action and Liaison Department dictates Mossad activities and shares information with other friendly nations. These agents are usually stationed in Israel's foreign embassies.

Mossad's third largest division, the secret Research Department, handles all intelligence material collected by secret Mossad field agents. Researchers also produce detailed reports and studies, using openly available sources, for use by Mossad agents, the military and other government organisations.