The History of the Mossad (Part 1 of 5) - Israeli foreign intelligence service. The full name translated into English is Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks. Mossad is the most important, and famous of the five intelligence and espionage organizations in Israel. But other organizations, like the military one, represent larger institutions.
According to a report of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of 1976, Mossad consisted of 1,500 to 2,000 personnel, of which 500 were officers. Activities were divided into 8 departments: 1) Operational planning and coordination, 2) Collection, 3) Political action and liaison, 4) Manpower, finance, logistics and security, 5) Training, 6) Research, 7) Technical operations and 8) Technology. It is likely that Mossad remains of about the same size today and covering about the same operations. Mossad has agents in all important countries around the world, as well as in Arab countries. Mossad activity is diverse, and varies from silent operations like monitoring individuals and organizations, to manipulating journalists, politicians and organizations, to the kidnapping and killing of individuals.
Mossad is often regarded as one the most effective and well-informed intelligence organizations in the world.