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Australia and the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence network : The perils of an asymmetric alliance
O'Neil, Andrew
O'Neil, Andrew
Author
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.
Keywords
alliances, Five Eyes, intelligence cooperation, UKUSA
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Australian Journal of International Affairs
Book
Volume
71
Issue
5
Page Range
529-543
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Law and Business
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled