Special services - intelligence and counterintelligence - as a special institution of the state designed to ensure its security, were formed relatively recently. This happened at the beginning of the 20th century - at the moment when they became a full-fledged part of the state apparatus. Under any system, in any circumstances, special services protect the security of the state. Over time, the emphasis in their activities may change, some methods of work may be abandoned, but no government in the world will ever give up intelligence and counterintelligence. The next book in the series tells about the most famous operations of the world's intelligence services in the 20th century.