Spy Games: Ranking Europe's Intelligence Agencies

The incredible missions led by secret agent James Bond may have captivated the masses, but they were purely fictional. However, the data gathered by the French weekly "L'Express" from European intelligence agencies is entirely real. In its latest issue, the magazine revealed a ranking of European intelligence organizations based on mutual assessments by agents. The survey included 60 agents from 25 agencies, including 16 current or former heads of organizations. While Israel was not measured in the survey, it was represented by former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.

The British MI6 emerged as the leader, followed by the French DGSE. British spies are considered the best in Europe, with the agency currently headed by Blaise Metrowley. In an exclusive interview with Ynet and "Yedioth Ahronoth," Etienne Girard, deputy editor of the weekly, who spent three months on the investigation alongside journalists Alexandra Saviana and Elsa Trujillo, discussed the inner workings of European intelligence.

Evaluation Criteria and Methods

The importance of each organization was measured in three areas:

1. Recruitment of "moles" and penetration into centers of power.

2. Liquidation and sabotage operations (e.g., the pager operation or the Ukrainian "spider web").

3. Information gathering, cyber operations, and control over encrypted communications.

"An effective intelligence agency gives a country power no less than nuclear weapons," noted a senior Swiss diplomat. Girard argues that specializing in a specific region or technique is often more effective than being mediocre at everything. For instance, Portugal controls information in Southern Africa, while Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Ireland specialize in economic espionage.

Leaders and Underperformers

At the top of the pyramid are countries capable of deploying "moles." The British, according to Girard, have a unique ability to penetrate Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey, often recruiting graduates from elite universities years before activating them. The French intelligence service is highly valued for its global deployment and its ability to "neutralize" targets discreetly. The Netherlands took third place, often described as the "little sister of the USA" due to its close training ties with American agencies.

Germany ranked fifth, drawing criticism from American sources who compared the BND to a "research institute of clerks." Conversely, Ukraine received high praise for its "Mossadization"—the adoption of sophisticated and creative covert operations. Poland is also highly regarded, though experts note that political control over the agency has hampered its performance. The Hungarian agency was criticized for being turned into a political tool by Viktor Orban.

The Mossad's Global Standing

Although the investigation focused on Europe, Girard shared his perspective on the global landscape. He noted that if a global ranking existed, the USA would rank first due to the scale of its deployment, though many countries are seeking to reduce their dependence on the US following the Trump presidency.

"My personal opinion is that the Mossad would rank second or third, behind the British. There is no substitute for the Mossad in the Middle East, especially in terms of ground-level penetration," Girard emphasized. He added that the Mossad commands admiration for its targeted liquidations and cyber capabilities.

Regarding the impact of October 7th on the Mossad's reputation, Girard stated:

"Offensively, not at all. The pager operation repaired the reputation. On the other hand, it was an instructive lesson for all intelligence agencies in the world: if there is no good coordination between intelligence and the political echelon, vulnerability will remain."