The largest most important security and intelligence alliance in Canada should be able to withstand the current political storm engulfing in Washington, according to journalist and filmmaker Richard Kerbaj.
Kerbaj, the author of The secret story of the five eyessaid The western block Mercedes Stephenson The longtime spy partnership has survived political disagreements between its member countries in the past.
“The five eyes (have existed) for a long time now. You know, six decades, seven decades, eight decades, depends on the distance to which you trace its roots, “said Kerbaj in an interview.
“But he survived each administration and government that he served. And I like to think that no matter what is affected, it will continue to do it. »»
The Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. He resumed his origins in the Second World War and cooperation between intelligence agencies in Great Britain and America.
The Alliance shares sensitive intelligence between the Member States and conducts joint spies in the field and electronically thanks to the collection and analysis of signals on the Internet and telecommunications systems.
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In the Alliance, Canada is a “net importer” of intelligence – which means that it receives more intelligence from the other four countries than it contributes.
US President Donald Trump has often criticized Allied countries, including Canada, to benefit from American military power while not contributed to the NATO expenses of 2% of the GDP of member countries. Recently, Trump has thought about the lens should be increased by five percent of GDP.
Canada is currently spending 1.37%, with a plan to reach 2% by 2032.
Trump did not apply the same criticism to the spy agencies of the Allied countries, but any disturbance in the sharing of American intelligence with Canada could have significant consequences on national security.
Kerbaj noted that the United States is currently spending around $ 100 billion a year on its intelligence agencies, which, according to him, is “10 times higher than the other combined eyes”. But he added that overall expenses are not the only metric to judge the contribution of a country to the alliance.
“As much as money can buy satellites and submarines and surveillance, this does not protect. This does not guarantee security. What guarantees you security is access and access to great information, a great judgment, a great analysis, “said Kerbaj.
“And it really comes from individuals, either in the field or from analysts. … Canada has greatly contributed in this area, not only because of its geography and proximity and its capacities, within the reach of the Arctic And to a good ear in eastern Russia or an ability through Latin America, but also because of its judgment and we have seen these crucial judgments and intelligence judgments take place. »»
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