Disappearing Act Trivia Quiz

Answer: CIA

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the principal foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agency of the United States government. Its mission is to gather, analyze, and disseminate foreign intelligence to assist policymakers in making informed decisions about national security matters. It also conducts covert operations at the direction of the President of the United States. It was established by the National Security Act of 1947, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It replaced the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was the United States' intelligence agency during World War II.

The CIA is headquartered in Langley, Virginia, and is organized into several directorates and specialized offices which deal with the different aspects of their craft. Despite their benign intentions, the CIA has been involved in numerous controversies throughout its history, including allegations of assassination attempts, covert regime change operations, and involvement in human rights abuses. It has also been the subject of numerous books, films, and television shows, often portraying its agents as skilled and resourceful operatives. However, depictions of the CIA in popular media can vary widely in accuracy and realism.

Answer: Mossad

The Mossad is the national intelligence agency of Israel, responsible for intelligence gathering, covert operations, and counterterrorism. Its full name in Hebrew is "HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuḥadim," which translates to "The Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations". Its primary mission is to gather intelligence about threats to Israel's security from around the world. This includes monitoring the activities of hostile states, terrorist organizations, and other entities that pose a potential risk to Israel.

The Mossad is headed by a director who reports directly to the Prime Minister of Israel. The agency is organized into several departments, each specializing in different areas of intelligence and operations. One of its primary (and, perhaps, most important) functions is counterterrorism; it works closely with other Israeli security agencies to gather intelligence on terrorist organizations and prevent attacks against Israeli targets domestically and worldwide attacks on Jewry around the world.

As far as worldwide reputation goes, the Mossad is very highly respected and well-known. It has been the subject of numerous books, films, and television shows, often portraying its agents as highly skilled and resourceful operatives. However, the reality of the Mossad's activities is often more complex and secretive than what is depicted in popular media. Its operations have sometimes been controversial, both domestically and internationally. Controversial actions, such as assassinations of suspected terrorists or the theft of nuclear secrets from other countries, have sparked debate and criticism, usually from Israel's detractors, which are numerous.

Answer: CSIS

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is Canada's primary national intelligence agency, also known as Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS) en français. It was established in 1984 by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service Act. It was created in response to recommendations made by the McDonald Commission, which investigated the activities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and determined that a separate and independent intelligence organization needed to be established. They proposed the establishment of a civilian intelligence agency separate from the existing law enforcement. Thus, CSIS was born.

CSIS is headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, and operates regional offices across Canada. The agency is led by a Director, who reports to the Minister of Public Safety. CSIS is organized into several branches and units responsible for different aspects of its operations, including intelligence collection, analysis, and operations. CSIS operates under strict legal and judicial oversight to ensure accountability and respect for civil liberties. The agency is subject to oversight by the Security Intelligence Review Committee (SIRC), an independent body that reviews CSIS's activities and investigates complaints. CSIS activities are also subject to review by the Federal Court of Canada, which issues warrants for certain intelligence-gathering activities.

Answer: SVR

The Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR) is Russia's primary external intelligence agency. It traces its origins to the First Chief Directorate (PGU) of the well-known and notorious KGB, the Soviet Union's main foreign intelligence agency which was widely feared by the West during the Cold War. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the SVR was established as the successor agency to the foreign intelligence functions of the KGB.

The SVR is headquartered in Moscow and is led by a director, who reports directly to the President of Russia. The agency is organized into several directorates and specialized units responsible for different areas of intelligence collection and analysis, as well as operational activities. In addition to the intelligence collection, the SVR conducts covert operations to advance Russian interests abroad. These operations may include influencing foreign governments, supporting friendly regimes, sabotaging adversaries, and conducting espionage activities.

The SVR, like its predecessor the KGB, maintains a program of recruiting and deploying "illegals" - intelligence officers who operate abroad under false identities without the protection of diplomatic cover. These operatives are trained extensively in language, culture, and tradecraft and are tasked with blending into foreign societies to gather intelligence over the long term. Illegals typically establish seemingly ordinary lives in foreign countries, often assuming the identities of citizens from other countries. They pose as a variety of professions to gain access to valuable information and cultivate relationships with targets of interest.

Answer: MSS

The Ministry of State Security (MSS), known in Mandarin as Guojia Anquan Bu, is the primary intelligence and security agency of the People's Republic of China. It was established in 1983 as part of a reorganization of China's intelligence and security apparatus. It was created by merging the intelligence and counterintelligence functions of the Ministry of Public Security and military intelligence agencies.

The MSS is headquartered in Beijing and is led by a minister who reports directly to the State Council of China. The agency is organized into several bureaus and departments responsible for different aspects of intelligence collection, analysis, and operations. This includes identifying and disrupting espionage activities by foreign intelligence agencies and monitoring foreign organizations operating within China for potential threats.

Within China, the MSS also has a role. It is responsible for monitoring and suppressing dissent, conducting surveillance on political dissidents, human rights activists, religious groups, and other perceived threats to the ruling Communist Party's authority.

Answer: MI6 (SIS)

MI6, formally known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), is the foreign intelligence agency of the United Kingdom. It was founded in 1909 as the Secret Service Bureau, later evolving into the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) during World War I. It is commonly referred to as MI6, a name derived from its original designation as part of the British War Office's section VI.

MI6 is headquartered in London and operates under the authority of the Foreign Office. It is led by a Chief, who reports directly to the Foreign Secretary. The agency is organized into several directorates and specialized units responsible for different aspects of intelligence collection, analysis, and operations. It operates under strict legal and parliamentary oversight to ensure accountability. The agency is subject to oversight by the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (ISC), an independent body that reviews MI6's activities and investigates complaints.

MI6 has been the subject of numerous books, films, and television shows, often portraying its agents as highly skilled and resourceful operatives. Ian Fleming's best known character, James Bond, is depicted as being a part of MI6.

Answer: DGSE

The Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (DGSE) is the foreign intelligence agency of France. It was officially established in 1982, succeeding the Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage (SDECE), which had been France's primary intelligence agency since World War II.

The DGSE is headquartered in Paris and operates under the authority of the French Ministry of Defence. It is led by a Director-General, who reports directly to the Minister of Defence. The agency is organized into several directorates and specialized units responsible for different aspects of intelligence collection, analysis, and operations.

The DGSE has been the subject of novels, films, and television shows, although it is generally less well-known internationally than intelligence agencies such as the CIA or MI6. French popular culture occasionally features fictional representations of DGSE agents and operations, for example, Luc Besson's 1990 action film "La Femme Nikita".

Answer: BND

The Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) is the foreign intelligence agency of Germany, responsible for collecting and analyzing intelligence from abroad to support the country's national security interests. The name means 'Federal Intelligence Service'. It was founded in 1956, following the reorganization of West Germany's intelligence services after World War II. It was established as the successor to the Gehlen Organization, a post-war intelligence agency formed from former members of Nazi Germany's intelligence services.

The BND is headquartered in Berlin and operates under the authority of the German Federal Chancellery. It is led by a President, who reports directly to the Chancellor of Germany. Overall, it is slotted under the Ministry for Special Affairs. The agency is organized into several directorates and specialized units responsible for different aspects of intelligence collection, analysis, and operations.

The BND was initially established during the Cold War era, with a primary focus on countering the threat posed by the Soviet Union and its allies. As West Germany's first post-war intelligence agency, it inherited much of its personnel and infrastructure from the Gehlen Organization, which was formed by former members of Nazi Germany's intelligence services. West Germany received much criticism for this policy. In addition, after reunification, the BND absorbed many of the Stasi personnel (East German intelligence agents) further drawing criticism but also gaining much experience and insight into how the Eastern intelligence agencies were run.

Answer: Mukhabarat

The Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate (GID), commonly known as the Mukhabarat el-Amma, is the primary intelligence agency of Egypt. It was established in the 1950s as part of Egypt's intelligence apparatus. It is one of the oldest and most influential intelligence agencies in the Arab world.

The GID is headquartered in Cairo and operates under the authority of the Egyptian presidency. It is led by a Director-General, who reports directly to the President of Egypt. Within Egypt, the GID is responsible for monitoring and suppressing dissent, including political opposition, civil society groups, and Islamist movements. The agency has been accused of human rights abuses and violations of civil liberties in its efforts to maintain the stability of the Egyptian government.

The GID has often served as a mediator in conflicts involving Middle Eastern countries, leveraging its diplomatic channels and intelligence networks to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between rival parties. For example, the GID has played a behind-the-scenes role in brokering ceasefires between the State of Israel and Palestinian militant and terrorist groups, as well as mediating disputes between the different Palestinian factions.

Answer: RAW

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW or R&AW) is the primary foreign intelligence agency of India, responsible for intelligence-gathering, counterintelligence, as well as the security of India's nuclear program. It was established in 1968 after the Sino-Indian War of 1962 and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 highlighted the need for a dedicated foreign intelligence agency to supplement the efforts of India's Intelligence Bureau (IB), which primarily focused on domestic intelligence.

RAW is headquartered in New Delhi and operates under the authority of the Prime Minister's Office. It is led by a Secretary (Research) who reports directly to the Prime Minister of India. The agency is organized into several directorates and specialized units responsible for different aspects of intelligence collection, analysis, and operations.

RAW has a history of providing support, including training, funding, and weapons, to various liberation movements and insurgent groups in neighboring countries and beyond. One of the most well-known instances of RAW's involvement in supporting a liberation movement is during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. RAW played a significant role in providing assistance to the Mukti Bahini (Bangladesh Liberation Army) and coordinating operations with the Indian military, ultimately leading to the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.