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Can the Five Eyes survive Trump’s new intelligence order?

As Trump reshapes US intelligence, the Five Eyes alliance faces a test. Can it survive when Washington no longer trusts its own spies — let alone its allies?

Michael Shoebridge Michael is a co-founder and director of Strategic Analysis Australia. Previously, he spent over 25 years in Australia's national security community.
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How can the Five Eyes function effectively on a key international security issue like Russia when Washington’s stance is at odds with those of the four other capitals, Michael Shoebridge asks. AP Photo/Evan Vucci.

The Five Eyes intelligence partnership between Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and the UK is uniquely deep.

It has operated for decades under governments of various political hues and persuasions in each of the five nations. The power of pooled technical, geographic and human resources has given its members distinct ‘insight advantages’ when engaging with the wider world.

Its success has been built on deep trust — both between the five members and within each government.

Each nation runs its own intelligence agencies, clears its people its own way, and sets its own priorities for its spy agencies. Of course, priorities overlap. China, which is an assertive and technologically advanced military power conducting far-reaching cyber and human intelligence operations in all Five Eyes nations, is an obvious example.

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