Allies of the United States are reportedly considering scaling back the intelligence they share with Washington. The Trump administration’s conciliatory approach with Russia has led to allies to weigh up the move because of concerns over safeguarding foreign assets, NBC reported, citing four sources.
The American broadcaster reports members of the Five Eyes spy alliance are among those considering revising current policies around the sharing of intelligence. The alliance is made up of five countries – the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada – and was founded in 1946 in the aftermath of the Second World War. It is an important part of the defence and security of each member nation.
Israel and Saudi Arabia are also debating scaling back their intelligence sharing, according to NBC sources.
“Those discussions are already happening,” said a source with direct knowledge of the discussions.
Sources added no decision or action has been taken, with the review part of a wider examination of allies’ relations with Washington.
While the extent of a US policy change toward Russia remains unclear, a Western official told the broadcaster that allies are weighing the possible implications of what could be a historic shift.
A spokesman for the White House National Security Council was asked about allies’ possibly limiting intelligence and said Donald Trump is “clear-eyed” about America’s adversaries.
Brian Hughes said: “The US has unrivaled intelligence capabilities which is exactly why intelligence sharing initiatives such as the Five Eyes exist.
“President Trump is clear-eyed on all threats our adversaries pose to our national security and he will work with any ally or partner who understands the dangerous world inherited after the disastrous Biden years.
“On Biden’s watch, we had the war in Ukraine, the surrender in Afghanistan, and the slaughter of the innocents on October 7th.”
In response to the reports, a UK Government spokesperson said: “The US is the UK’s closest ally and we will continue to cooperate closely on defence, intelligence and security matters.
“Any suggestion otherwise is totally untrue.”
The Trump administration has closer aligned itself with Moscow and has paused sharing intelligence to Ukraine days after suspending all military aid.
