(Hebrew for "The Institute," formerly known as "Institute for Espionage and Special Tasks")
Israel's external intelligence agency, Mossad is the
Israeli equivalent of the CIA or the British MI6. As such, the Mossad is responsible for many covert operations outside the borders of Israel, as well as providing the Israeli Prime Minister with intelligence and strategic assessments. Its counterpart, working inside Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories, is the Shin Bet Agency, or
Shabak. See "
Shadowy and deadly-the long arm of the Mossad," Ian Black, The Guardian, Feb 16, 2010.