Australia and the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence network : The perils of an asymmetric alliance

Journal article


O'Neil, Andrew. (2017). Australia and the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence network : The perils of an asymmetric alliance. Australian Journal of International Affairs. 71(5), pp. 529-543. https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2017.1342763
AuthorsO'Neil, Andrew
Abstract

Aside from NATO, the Five Eyes intelligence network between the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is the world’s most enduring multilateral arrangement of its type. While the Five Eyes network does not constitute a formal security alliance in the classic sense of the term, it does emulate significant features of how alliances operate in practice, including active burden-sharing and intra-alliance bargaining. Most analysts claim that the USA dictates in hierarchical fashion the terms and conditions of how the Five Eyes network functions, and that junior partners have little alternative but to fall in line if they want to preserve the flow of high-grade intelligence from Washington. Using Australia as a case study, this article shows that a more fluid relationship has been at play, one that challenges conventional assumptions about asymmetrical alliances and the role of junior partners.

Keywordsalliances; Five Eyes; intelligence cooperation; UKUSA
Year2017
JournalAustralian Journal of International Affairs
Journal citation71 (5), pp. 529-543
PublisherRoutledge
ISSN1035-7718
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2017.1342763
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85021860867
Page range529-543
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online06 Jul 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited08 Nov 2023
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