Field Agent (N)PCs of the world will be (at least) familiar with the information, below. Nationals of any of these nations, or their colonies (present or former), will likewise know something of their own country's Intelligence Agencies.
America Argentina Australia Britain Canada Canton France Germany INAP Italy Japan Mexico Wellon
(Source: Mainly Charles E. Gannon's "Operation Back Door" articles in _Challenge_ #s 49 - 52).
The American Intelligence Agency - The AIA was the product of the Congressional restructuring of the re-united states of America in 2021. CivGov's and MilGov's respective Intelligence Agencies were unable to work out their philosophical differences, so Congress combined the Treasury Department's BATF with the CIA, DEA, DIA, and most of the FBI. The finished product was the dual-officed AIA, broken up into the ODO and the OFO, as well as "the New FBI", and the NCS (see below). For the last two and a half centuries, the AIA has enjoyed the reputation as the foremost Intelligence Agency in human space.
The "New FBI" - Always having been the main Domestic Counter-Intelligence Agency in the old USA, "The New FBI" maintains its forensic and criminology expertise, but was also saddled with "Internal Affairs Division" responsibilities (by Congress), so that they could "watch the watchers", thus preventing the abuses of power frequently seen in Intelligence operations of the late 20th century. "The New FBI" is now part of The ODO, but basically operates as a totally separate agency.
The Office of Domestic Operation - The ODO handles all Intelligence operation inside America, its colonies & territories, and against any threat to its citizens and/or holdings (such as Embassies) in foreign territories. Nearly all of the former BATF, DEA, and FBI landed here.
The Office of Foreign Operations - The OFO handles operations against the lands and/or citizens of other sovereign states. Thus, most of the CIA and DIA wound up here. The OFO handles almost all aspects of INT/CINT (Intelligence/Counter-Intelligence), including Military and Strategic Intelligence, and Foreign and Domestic Counter-Intelligence.
As in former days, there is still some cross-over between the duties of the two, reminiscent of the turf battles of the "Old FBI" and the CIA. If foreign terrorists are assaulted in American territory, for instance, both Offices would have grounds to claim jurisdiction. In such cases, the FBI will often run the show, commanding both.
The Directors of the ODO, OFO, and the FBI report directly to the NSC. While the FBI is technically part of the ODO, its IAD powers warrant its treatment as an entirely separate division, in this case (Translation: The ODO can't shut'em up!).
The Bureau of Intelligence Research - The BIR is by far the smallest (and least well-known) branch of the American Intelligence Community, which probably explains how it avoided being gobbled up into the AIA. It reports to the Secretary of State on matters of Strategic Intelligence.
The National Security Agency - The NSA handles the only intelligence function that the former-CIA OFO does not: Electronic Intercept. The Head of the NSA reports to the Secretary of Defense.
The National Security Committee - The NSC was set up by Congress to oversee all Intelligence Operations, and appointment to this powerful and prestigious committee is highly desired by American Congressmen. The FBI watchdogs report directly to this Committee, as do the Heads of the ODO and OFO. The NSC, itself, is responsible to the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
(Sources: Multiple).
The Australian Security Intelligence Organization - The ASIO is Australia's chief Intelligence Agency. They handle foreign threats, and would be the most likely branch for PCs to run into.
The Australian Security Intelligence Service - ASIS deals with Domestic Counter-Espionage (similar to America's 20th Century FBI). The ASIS, in particular (but also the ASIO), are seen as "Keystone Cops" by many Australians, although whether that's because they are, or simply because of typical Aussie cynicism, is uncertain.
The Office of National Assessment - The ONA has key responsibility for national intelligence assessments. Clandestine activity is prohibited.
(Sources: Multiple).
The Defense Intelligence Service - Handles Military Intelligence, only. Its Head reports to the Minister of Defense.
The Government Communications Headquarters - England's largest Intelligence-gathering organization, handles Electronic Intercept. Its Head reports to the Foreign Minister.
The Joint Intelligence Committee - The JIC consists of the chiefs of each of the Intelligence services, along with representatives of the foreign office and other "civilian" agencies, operating under the general supervision of the Cabinet Secretary. Assessment of a highly specialized subject might be made entirely within one Intelligence Agency, but must then undergo scrutiny by the JIC before it is transmitted to higher government officials as "approved intelligence". A more complex subject requires the best intelligence that all agencies can supply, combined into a brief, clear, accurate, and timely analysis. This task is assigned to a very small team (4 to 5 people) detailed to the task from their "parent" agencies for a period. One of these assumes responsibility for the analysis, based on background and experience. Upon completion, the analysis goes to the JIC for review.
MI-6 - The Secret Service, also known as the SIS (Secret Intelligence Service), takes care of Military and Strategic Intelligence and Foreign Counter-Espionage and Counter-Intelligence functions, and reports to the Foreign Minister. MI-6 was almost destroyed by the Twilight War, and Britain had less need for it during the French Peace. Thus, it has lost the keenness of its former edge.
The Security Service - MI-5 handles only Domestic Counter-Intelligence, and its Head reports to the Home Minister.
(Sources: Patrice Lemire and Alain Vollant).
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service - CSIS handles Counter-Espionage, both Domestic & Foreign.
The Communication Security Establishment - CSE is Canada's answer (and poor cousin) to America's NSA, and handles Electronic Intercept.
(Source: Peter Grining).
Central Control of Information - Secret police and intelligence. Spends most of its effort ensuring loyalty amongst Cantonese citizens and government departments. Supposedly it does not perform foreign operations, and gets most of info by co-operating with outside intelligence and industrial concerns.
(Sources: Multiple).
La Direction du Renseignement Militaire - The DRM (or Directorate of Military Intelligence) has military and civilian specialists who provide data to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and to ground forces. The DRM consists of five departments (sous directions):
Sous Direction de Recherche: The Assistant Directorate of Research organises and directs the collection of data via both human and technical means.
Sous Direction de Exploitation: The Assistant Directorate of Processing gathers, analyses, and processes data collected by sensors and agents, attempting to keep ahead of events in known space. They also obtain data from the American, British, and German armed forces.
Sous Direction de Proliferation et Armement: The Assistant Directorate of Proliferation and Armament deals with information on foreign armament and equipment, and tracks proliferation of armaments.
Sous Direction de Technique: The Assistant Technical Directorate allocates equipment for missions.
Sous Direction de la Adminstration Resources Humaines: The Assistant Directorate for the Administration of Human Resources selects and trains staff. It is also the adminstration and financial of the DRM.
The DRM co-operates with the CIREM (Centre d'Information sur les Rayonnements Magnetiques: Electronic Study Centre), EIREL (Ecole Interarmmes du Reseignement et des Etudes Linguistiques: combined arms intelligence and linguistic centre), and the CF31, the Centre de Formation et d'Interpretation de I'imagine (mixed arms imagery interpretation school).
DRM's main source of data is the BRGE (Brigade de Reseignements de Guerre Electronique or Electronic Warfare Brigade). Units involved are the 13e RDP (Regiment de Dragons Parachutistes), which is an airborne force trained for intelligence missions, 2 signals regiments, and an artillery regiment equipped with RPVs/aerial drones.
The DRM is not allowed to do the work of DGSE. In 2300, the DRM would want to know the capabilites of the latest German hover-tank, the DGSE would want to know the technology behind the how its capabilities are achieved. Also, DRM elements would deploy ahead of any French military action. Any PC members of the French military in 2300 could find themselves performing a mission for the DRM.Deuxieme Bureau - French Military Intelligence.
La Direction Generale de la Securité Exterieure - The DGSE consists of three directorates, one responsible for collection and analysis of foreign intelligence, another for maintaining couter-espionage outside of France, and an "action directorate" which plans and conducts political - military operations abroad. Most of the latter are concerned with maintaining French influence in former colonies. The 11th Airborne Division is assigned to them. The DGSE is now tasked with missions dealing with political, financial, scientific and technological matters. The Head of the DGSE reports directly to the Prime Minister. While DGSE is a highly capable Intelligence Organization, it is held back by the stereotypical French bureaucracy, complete with ineptitude, in-fighting, and worries over pre-eminence, instead of intelligence. While their bureaucrats may need a lopping, the DGSE's Field Agents are generally quite capable (unless demoted to field work from the bureaucracy).
The Directorate for the Surveillance of the Territory - The DST is responsible for internal security, in conjuction with La Sureté. Both report to the Minister of the Interior.
La Sureté - France's Police System, reporting to the Minister of the Interior.
(Sources: Multiple).
Amt Fur Nachrichtenwesen der Bundeswehr -The AFNB (Federal Armed Forces Intelligence Office).
Bundesamt fur Verassungsschutz - The BfV (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) is the German Internal Security Service, for Domestic Counter-Intelligence, only, and reports to the Minister of the Interior. It is kept de-centralised to prevent abuses (due to bad memories of the Gestapo). It consists of five Directorates, responsible for handling: Administration and Legal, Neo-Nazi, Left-wing organizations, Counter-espionage, and Other security threats.
Bundesnachrichtendienst - The BND (Federal Intelligence Service) is the most centrallized Intelligence Agency of all, responsible for Military and Strategic Intelligence, Electronic Intercept, and Foreign Counter-Intelligence. Its Head reports to the Chancellor. Its three Divisions are responsible for handling: Subversion, Counter-intelligence, and Foreign espionage.
Militarischer Abschirmdienst - The MAD (The Military Screen Service) is only used for Tactical Intelligence (that is, the sort that is ggained through direct contact with the enemy). The BND interrogates prisoners. MAD's Head reports to the Minister of Defense.
Militairsche Nachrictendienst - The MND (Military Intelligence Service).
Ministerium fur Staatssicherheit - The Mfs (Ministry for State Security) has two sub-branches: The HVA - Hauptverwaltung Aufklerung, and the SSD - State Security Service (the Stasi). It is responsible for military intelligence, Domestic Counter-intelligence, and Foreign Intelligence.
(Source: The "INAP" article in _Challenge_ #34).
El INAP - Argentina and Mexico realised very early on (circa 2160) that they couldn't keep their hard-earned place in the world without a presence in space. Unfortunately, Garden Worlds were proving quite rare, and The ESA's refusal to allow non-member nations to colonize Tirane caused the Military Governments of these two like-minded nations to join together in the Alpha Centauri War, where their right to colonize was backed up by the first interstellar warships ever built - Argentina's. After the War, both nations agreed to continue this cooperation, and to form INAP: El Instituto Nacional de Astronomia Practica - "The National Institute of Practical Astronomy", first set up in 2164.
INAP's purpose was to have one overall agency to construct both nations' colony on Tirane. While that goal ended with the ruin of the Santa Maria Colony after the Santa Cristophos Grade School disaster in 2180, INAP continued as Argentina's/Mexico's research, exploration, and colonization agency. Its new goals are Research, Exploration, Colonization, and Covert Operations! INAP's research focuses on improving their stutterwarp and ship designs, as well as weapons research, and other such projects with "military applications". Atom smasher, volcanic energy, radiation, alien ecologies, and paranormal activity are all being studied by INAP.
While the preceeding activities of INAP are all public knowledge, they provide an excellent front for Covert Operations, as well. INAP was formed to advance Argentina's and Mexico's national interests, and it still does, one way or another. INAP "researchers" are allowed access to INAP gear, facilities, starships, and funds.
The Commissioner is appointed by joint agreement between Argentina and Mexico. The decisions are made by him, and the heads of the four departments, with the only exception being matters of Covert Operations, which are made by the head of that department, alone.
INAP will often use intermediaries to hire outsiders for Covert Ops. PCs may also want to join INAP. Argentinians and Mexicans will be given preference, as will characters of other Latin American heritage, except Brazilians (who are at a disadvantage due to Argentina's long rivalry with Brazil). Americans and British are at a disadvantage due to Mexico's rivalry with them. If trying to join Covert Operations, Mexicans and Argentinians are preferred, and no Americans, Brazilians, nor British need not apply.
(Sources: Peter Grining and Matt Scull).
SID - Italy's Office of Intelligence Co-ordination handles Counter-espionage.
Servizio Informazioni Generali e Sicurezza - The SISDE is the Service for Information and Democratic Security.
Servizio perle Informazioni e la Sicurezza Militaire - The SISMI is Italy's Service for Information and Military Security.
(Source: Peter Grining).
Japanese Military Intelligence - Intelligence Agencies of other countries don't trust them, because there are no laws protecting confidental information.
Keisatsu Cho - The KC are Japan's elite police.
Koan Choa Cho - The KCC (Public Security Investigation Agency). Although not responsible for foreign operations, they have no hesitations in performing them. Supposed to be internal only, but they are interested in all intelligence. Military, economic, anything. Operates in conjunction with the KC.
(Source: Nothing on Wellon's Intelligence Agencies was ever published by GDW or DGP, but David Gillon (who will play Wellon in the GG II) has provided the following information).
The Directorate of Special Operations - The DSO is charged with conducting special operations in support of both FIS and DSS. In times of war, it is charged with co-ordination of resistance and sabotage activity behind enemy lines, allowing the FIS to concentrate on its intelligence gathering role. The DSO is widely assumed to have a stay-behind role in the event that Wellon itself is overrun. DSO is known to recruit heavily from the Special Raiding Force, and its sister organisations. The DSO is responsible only to the Defence Secretary.
The Domestic Security Service - The DSS is responsible for counter-intelligence and counter-subversion activities within the borders of Wellon. It may operate outside of Wellon's borders, but must report all such operations to the JID and FIS. The DSS is responsible to both the Defence and Home Secretaries.
The Foreign Intelligence Service - The FIS is charged with intelligence gathering outside of Wellon's borders. It may operate within Wellon's borders, but must report all such operations to the JID and DSS. The FIS is responsible to both the Defence and Foreign Secretaries.
The Joint Intelligence Directorate - All the various Intelligence services of the Wellon government operate under the overall control of the JID, a central co-ordination structure controlled by the Ministry of Defence, but with significant input from other Ministries. The JID is commanded by the Director of Intelligence, who is always an intelligence officer drawn from one of the subsidiary services, in rotation. Beneath the Director (invariably referred to as "M", for reasons long since forgotten by most) are the Deputy Directors responsible for the individual services. A three-man Senate Oversight Committee is drawn from Life-Senators with relevant experience.
The Directorate of Communications Security - Any questions about the role of the DCS are answered with the official statement that "The Directorate of Communications Security is responsible for the security of all communications traffic between the government of Wellon and its Embassies. The Directorate reports to the Foreign Secretary." The answer is unvarying, never more, never less. It is obvious to observers that the DCS does fulfil the stated role, maintaining a cadre of couriers (usually former military officers) who are accredited diplomatic personnel, and responsible for direct transport of information in physical form (the proverbial "Diplomatic Bag") and also a small fleet of courier ships operating on the so-called "Circle Route" between Earth and Alpha Centauri, and jointly manned by Naval and Foreign Office personnel. However, the DCS is also widely assumed to have a communications monitoring and intercept role. How it carries out this function against Earth-based governments has never been detailed.