The growing closeness between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is raising concerns beyond just Ukraine. According to an NBC report on Thursday, Israel and other key allies of the United States are hesitant to share intelligence with Washington due to the strengthening ties between the White House and the Kremlin. Among the nations expressing caution are the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing partners—Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—as well as countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The report indicates that intelligence agencies in these countries are primarily worried that classified details about foreign assets they work with could inadvertently be exposed as a result of this shift in U.S.-Russia relations. Several individuals who spoke with NBC stated that “discussions on the subject are already taking place.” However, one source clarified that, so far, no concrete steps have been taken to address the issue.
Officials familiar with the matter have pointed out that the U.S. intelligence alliance is reassessing its protocols for information-sharing in light of the deepening relationship between Trump’s administration and Moscow. This evaluation is part of a broader reassessment of various aspects of cooperation between Washington and its allies, including diplomatic ties, trade agreements, military partnerships, and intelligence-sharing frameworks.
NBC highlighted that intelligence agencies worldwide regard their commitments to their sources as “sacred,” ensuring that those who provide critical information remain safe and their identities are never compromised.
Former senior officials, speaking to NBC, warned that any development that might put these commitments at risk would be seen as a serious breach of trust between intelligence agencies and their sources. Such a scenario, they cautioned, could result in some spy agencies choosing to limit the amount of information they share with the United States.
{Matzav.com}