Mossad (Hebrew: הַמוֹסָד,; Arabic: الموساد), short for HaMossad leModiʿin uleTafkidim Meyuḥadim (Hebrew: המוסד למודיעין ולתפקידים מיוחדים, meaning "Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations"), is the national intelligence agency of Israel. It is one of the main entities in the Israeli Intelligence Community, along with Aman (military intelligence) and Shin Bet (internal security).
Mossad is responsible for intelligence collection, covert operations, and counterterrorism. In contrast to the government and military, the goals, structure and powers of the Mossad are exempt from the Basic Laws of Israel. However, its activity is subject to secret procedures that have never been published. Its counter-terrorist unit is known as Kidon.
In The Americans, the Jennings abduct a Mossad agent (Yossi) when their plan to capture Anton Baklanov goes awry. Philip's American persona does not fool him; he immediately perceives that Philip is a "KGB man." Yossi assumes his government will not consider him valuable enough for a trade, and contrasts his worth to his country ("bronze") with Phillip's ("platinum'). While trying to negotiate the prisoner exchange, Arkady says that Russians will die for their principles, but Jews will die for their tribe: "That's what they expect of a Mossad agent: a sacrifice on the altar of the chosen people."