The Five Eyes: security, spying and surveillance under Trump
Jan 27, 2025
auto_awesome
Richard Kerbaj, a journalist and author of "The Secret History of the Five Eyes," dives into the dynamics of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. He discusses Canada’s crucial role, the historical intricacies of the network, and intelligence failures, including a notable cover-up involving ISIS. With rising threats from China, he examines how a potential Trump presidency might challenge the coalition's unity and effectiveness, emphasizing the necessity of trust and collaboration among member nations.
The Five Eyes alliance exemplifies a crucial cooperative effort in intelligence-sharing among five nations, emphasizing national security and adaptability to emerging threats.
Despite Donald Trump's skepticism toward international coalitions and intelligence agencies, the durability of the Five Eyes network will be tested under his administration's influence on global relations.
Deep dives
Financial Literacy and Future Success
Financial literacy plays a crucial role in building wealth, as evidenced by the statistic that adults with these skills have 82% more wealth than those lacking them. Parents often invest in extracurricular activities for their children, but it's equally important to prioritize their financial education. Tools like Greenlight can help teach kids essential money management skills such as earning, saving, and investing in an engaging manner. This form of investment in children's future financial confidence costs less than many ordinary purchases, making it an accessible option for families.
The Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance
The Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing alliance comprising the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with its structure allowing for autonomous operation of 14 key intelligence agencies under a shared umbrella. The alliance emphasizes national security, aiming to protect critical infrastructure and thwart threats by integrating capabilities from each member country. Over the decades, this cooperative effort has evolved, leading to stronger interdependencies despite a lack of formal legal agreements. The shared culture and trust between these countries have been essential to its stability and effectiveness in a global context.
Challenges and Evolving Threats
The current geopolitical climate presents unique challenges for the Five Eyes, especially as China emerges as a significant adversary. Concerns over foreign interference in elections, notably in Canada, highlight the need for robust intelligence cooperation among the members. Historical instances indicate that the U.S. plays a dominating role within the alliance due to its substantial intelligence budget, but contributions from smaller members, like Canada, can also significantly impact security outcomes. Maintaining unity and trust is vital for the alliance's longevity, particularly amid political fluctuations and potential threats to its integrity.
Donald Trump is not a fan of international coalitions. He is also not a fan of intelligence agencies. And yet, the U.S. is the biggest member of the Five Eyes network – one of the world’s most powerful spying operations. As a second Trump administration begins in Washington, Canada and the other Five Eyes countries await to see what will happen.
Richard Kerbaj is a journalist and author. His new book is called The Secret History of the Five Eyes: The Untold Story of The International Spy Network. He explains Canada’s role in the Five Eyes, how the alliance has evolved over the years and whether it can withstand another Trump presidency.