DGSE is the intelligence agency of?

The correct answer is France.
The DGSE, which stands for Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure (General Directorate for External Security), is the primary foreign intelligence agency of France. It operates under the direction of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and is tasked with providing intelligence and safeguarding French national security through espionage and specialized operations abroad.

History and Evolution:

The DGSE was established on April 2, 1982, as the successor to the previous agency, the SDECE (Service de Documentation Extérieure et de Contre-Espionnage). The reorganization was intended to modernize France's intelligence capabilities and ensure a more structured approach to foreign threats during the latter stages of the Cold War.

Unique Capabilities: The "Service Action":

Unlike many other civilian foreign intelligence agencies (such as the CIA or MI6), the DGSE possesses a significant paramilitary capability. Its "Action Division" (Service Action) is responsible for planning and executing highly sensitive missions, including sabotage, unconventional warfare, and the rescue of hostages. This gives the DGSE a dual role as both an intelligence collection body and a direct action force.

Core Missions:

• Foreign Intelligence: Gathering political, economic, and military data on global powers and regions of interest to France (especially in Africa and Europe).


• Counter-Terrorism: Monitoring and neutralizing international terrorist groups that threaten French citizens or interests.


• Economic Intelligence: Protecting French industry and identifying foreign attempts to compromise French economic security.


• Signal Intelligence (SIGINT): Through its Technical Directorate, it monitors global communications to identify emerging threats.
  
  

Oversight and Reporting:

The DGSE is headquartered in Paris (at a site often referred to as "Le Mortier"). While it is a military organization by law, many of its officers are civilians. It reports to the Minister of the Armed Forces and provides regular intelligence briefings to the President of France.