According to you which one is the best intelligence agency of the world?

@Cierzo The need for these agencies when British and Americans started eyeing every country in the world!

As a result, others came out with their best!

Cold War was all about these agencies!

Worst, a new cold war is or let's say, could be at our door-step!

CHINA Vs USA

@Cierzo spot on there!
@SoLeRiMix Add Russia to that list and you have a valid point.

@helensusanswift USSR started it only after UK and USA starting plotting against other nations.

Everyone needs to guard their borders!

🙂

@SoLeRiMix Nah; Muscovy sent their cossacks eastward across the Urals back in the c16th, and all through the c19th, Great Britain and Russia played spymanship in Central Asia, the ME and around the Black Sea. It started way back.

@helensusanswift This is quite debatable because it would takes us back to 15th century!

English spies infilterated foreign lands even then!

🙂

@SoLeRiMix English spies certainly did. English spies worked in Wales, France, Scotland and Ireland, causing all sorts of trouble. Indeed England has been troublesome ever since the Anglo-Saxons attacked the indigenous British back in the 5th century.

@helensusanswift Like I said, it would be hard to trace the roots of the spy game because each story would open another story.

So, let's stick to modern history.

In 19th century British and Americans had eyes set on countries with infinite resources and they spread their best across the globe to gather intel.

USSR when understood this game, it sent it's best too. However, new competitor had entered the game of spies. Germany!

🙂

@SoLeRiMix I think it was a bit more complicated than that. By the 19th century many countries were looking for trade, not just the UK. France, the Netherlands, Russia, Denmark et al were all involved, with Spain and Portugal fading away. Outside Europe other nations were, or had been involved in the expansion process, including the Ottoman Empire, the Moghuls, the Sikhs, China, Burma, Nepal, the Mongols, various African states, the Chola Empire of south India, Persia etc.
It was not a process one can put down to a certain starting point or limit to two or three nations; it was part of the human process of seeking beyond the horizon.

@helensusanswift I guess, that the oldest known secret service was that of ancient Persia, already Darius the Great had set up what was called the "Eyes and Ears of the King" to control his own people

@poimandres15 There we go then; powerful nations have always tried to interfere in other countries. If they left well alone the world would be a more peaceful place, I think.
Or - would there just be chaos as small tribes battled each other without any conclusion?
I don't know the answer, I'm afraid. I do think that big bully countries should leave smaller nations alone. This 21st century the bully nations appear to be the USA and China. The Corona virus may dent their prestige though, and their finances. Who will take their place? India?

@helensusanswift That's right, lots of countries were looking for trade but the two that were aiming to disturb the peaceful nations in the name of trade were UK and USA.

Mangols were of no good after the death of Genghis Khan, it kept declining!

In 19th century, Sikh empire faught gallantly, didn't surrender but were defeated by the large number of British forces because they had advance warfare means.

Ottoman empire and the other Islamic empire's intent was always destructive. Hence, disturbing them was good thing done by British and Americans.

China is bigger bully if compared to USA. USA may have aimed Middle-East. China aimed at entire world population by spreading corona-virus. I used to appreciate China's success a lot but I hate China now.

Speaking of India, it's well-documented in the history that India has never ever instigated any war. India, if becomes the super-power, it would still give good to the world rather than interfering in peace of other nations.

India has always helped other nations in need. Yet, there's one community in India that has always caused problems for India despite the love and respect given to them. I am talking about Muslims. Indian Muslims have always dug deep pits for other Indians. They are believers of readical Islamic terrorism. This is the reason why India has now changed their perspective towards them. We Indians don't want them in our country anymore because we have had enough of their bull-sh*t. We'll kick them out just like Rohingya Muslims were kicked out Myanmar.

Muslims just believe in causing havoc in Non-Muslim nations. There may be peace loving Muslims but they are always outnunbered by the ones who believe and support radical Islamic terrorism.

I don't like Muslims at all!

Scum of the planet they are!

@poimandres15 Spy game was always there. Perhaps, even before Darius.

@SoLeRiMix Did the Chola Empire not attack in what is now Indonesia and Malaysia? (I don't know if they did or not!)
I know the Sikhs attacked Afghanistan and Tibet, and the Mahrattas were an extremely violent people - and the Pindaris too.

Huns, Romans, Persians, Burmese, Zulus, Ashantis, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Egyptians, Assyrians, Parthians, all had empires that expanded at the cost of somebody else. Not just Uk and USA. Add Norse, Russian, Danish, Matebele, Maya to taste.

@helensusanswift The Chola Dynasty did invade parts of South East Asia but then Hindu Empire had boundaries till South-East Asia.

In India, majority of Kingdoms wanted conquer other kigdoms and spread their empire across India. So, Hindu Kings then did want dominate other Hindu Kings!

Cholas decided to take it overseas. However, India and Indonesia then had friendly relations even after the invasion.

Sikhs attacked Afghans when Afghan rulers began occupying Indian territories in barbaric manner. Defending is not attacking.

Marathas were super-violent because Mughals In India were ruthless rulers and they wanted to convert India to an Islamic country. Marathas being true Hindu warriors didn't let that happen!

In Modern history UK and USA would always be seen as the biggest trouble-maker because with the fall other empires across the globe, these two caused problems almost everywhere.

Now, there's someone more evil than USA. It is China!

@SoLeRiMix I think the Japanese and Nazi Germans caused their share of problems too - in modern history.
So the Marathas were opposed to the Moghals then - where do the Rajputs fit in? I used to work beside a lad from Rajputana and he was immensely proud of his heritage.
Of course the evil British also stopped the slave trade, curbed piracy, modernised wherever they were, established orphananges, schools, built roads and railways, and created countries from warring tribes. Plus stopping Sutee and Thugee, human sacrifice, witch-burning, gang rape and so on.

@helensusanswift Japanese and Nazis didn't want to be ruled by British or Americans. Hence, they retaliated with equal strength and power.

Rajputana was another empire in India and even they were against Mughals. They too gave India some gallant warriors. However, some of them just wanted to cherish the luxuries of their empire and this lead to their empire's downfall!

The guy was proud of heritage. I understand it.

However, he should be proud of the entire India. Not just Rajasthan i.e. Rajputana!

British stopped to slave trade, Asians amd Africans would laugh at it because British Lords apart from royal people saw everyone as slaves!

Schools existed even before British and Americans started conquering world.

Roads and Railways were built by the slaves who were tortured by whip during construction. Worst, workers were not even given food and water but were made to do the hard labour with minimal rest. Exactly what Pharoahs did to Hebrews!

Gang-rapes still happen, thugs exist to date and human-sacrifice (as a part of satanic cult) still takes place in some remote corners of the world!

@SoLeRiMix I don't think the Nazis or Japanese were resisting the British when they attacked Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, China, etc. They were merely being extremely aggressive people.

Thousands of Britons died stopping the slave trade at sea and within Africa and elsewhere,

Did Britain not create India? Before Britain arrived it was a hodge podge of minor states plus the Moghul Empire.
I think you have a somewhat distorted view of history.