The Intelligence from The Economist Spy-fall: Trump imperils intelligence pact
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Mar 21, 2025 
Shashank Joshi, Defence editor for The Economist and expert on intelligence, delves into the fragility of America's international intelligence-sharing relationships and how Donald Trump's influence may jeopardize them. He discusses the historical significance of the Five Eyes alliance and the integrity issues arising from political tensions. Joshi also highlights China's swift leap in biotechnology, forecasting a future where Western markets might soon adopt cutting-edge Chinese medicines. Plus, catch new recommendations for your weekend viewing!
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Five Eyes: A Deeply Connected Alliance
- The Five Eyes intelligence alliance represents an incredibly close collaboration between intelligence agencies.
- This includes joint operations, liaison officers, and deep integration of signals intelligence machinery.
Trump's Threats and Intelligence Leaks
- Donald Trump and/or his aides threatened to expel Canada from the Five Eyes alliance.
- He also revealed Israeli intelligence to Russia's foreign minister.
Risks of Ideological Appointments
- Appointing ideologically driven individuals to lead intelligence agencies poses a significant risk.
- Coupled with purging experienced officers, this can erode the agencies' effectiveness and ability to provide accurate warnings.