Category:Intelligence agencies

An intelligence agency is a government agency or governmental organization devoted to gathering of information by means of espionage (spying), communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public sources.

Intelligence agencies are also involved in defensive activities such as counter-espionage or counter-terrorism.

Some agencies are involved in assassination, arms sales as well as coups d'état and other covert operations, in order to support their own or their governments' interests, and the placement of misinformation (propaganda).

Intelligence agencies are governmental or quasi governmental organizations whose primary duty is the collection, analysis and dissemination of knowledge through various means (intelligence). See also List of intelligence agencies.