Foreign Intelligence Service (Armenia)

External intelligence agency of Armenia

The Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) is Armenia's primary external intelligence agency. It is part of the Government of Armenia under the direct supervision of the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia.[1]

## History

[edit]

In late 2022, the National Assembly of Armenia announced the intent to create a foreign intelligence service, based on assets within the National Security Service (the NSS's Intelligence Department) and the Armed Forces of Armenia.[2][3] Armen Grigorian, the secretary of the Security Council, announced it will be tasked with “collecting information about the security situation around Armenia.”[2] Opposition lawmakers criticized the government, with Gegham Manukian of the opposition Hayastan bloc sayin that it will "only weaken the existing structures within the NSS and the Defense Ministry.”[3] In October 2023, Kristine Grigoryan, a former Human Rights Ombudsman, was appointed as the FIS's first director.[4][5]

## See also

[edit]

* United States government security breaches
* Foreign Intelligence Service (Russia)
* KGB

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "The Government proposes to establish Foreign Intelligence Service as a state administration body under the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
2. ^ a b Stepanian, Ruzanna (2022-12-20). "Armenia To Set Up Foreign Intelligence Agency". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Retrieved 2023-12-21.
3. ^ a b "A NEW FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY IN ARMENIA". avim.org.tr. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
4. ^ MassisPost (2023-10-06). "Kristine Grigoryan Named Armenia's First Foreign Intelligence Chief • MassisPost". MassisPost. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
5. ^ "Foreign Intelligence Service mission is to effectively respond to modern-day threats, challenges - PM's spokesperson". armenpress.am. Retrieved 2023-12-21.