FIVE EYES: THE EVOLVING INTEL GATHERING, CODE-BREAKING ALLIANCE
Gathering intel is important for countries for a myriad of reasons and while it’s easy to let your mind run wild with the ill intentions this can bring, it’s also fair to say that it's a necessary evil that can also help protect citizens and global security. Ideally, such intentions remain the goal of Five Eyes (FVEY). If you are unfamiliar with the Five Eyes Alliance, it has been around for quite some time. The FVEY countries are comprised of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with each nation working together to help share vital information for various purposes focusing on national defense. Related read: The Uproar of Team Lioness: How Taylor Sheridan’s Show Got it Wrong
What Is Five Eyes?
Five Eyes originated from secret meetings between British and American codebreakers at Bletchley Park in February 1941. Despite the U.S. still not formally joining World War II at the time, they shared confidential information. This would become a formal agreement following WWII. The Five Eyes allies can be traced back to the Atlantic Charter and then formalized as the UKUSA Agreement in 1946. Over time, Canada, Norway, Denmark, West Germany, Australia, and New Zealand joined as third parties. The term "Five Eyes" originated as a shorthand for "AUS/CAN/NZ/UK/US EYES ONLY."
WWII, the Cold War, and the Atlantic Charter
Known as the Atlantic Charter, the Five Eyes countries established this intelligence partnership officially following WWII with a joint public statement. Overall, the Five Eyes were a part of the larger goals set out by the countries post-WWII and would eventually lay the framework for the United Nations. During the Cold War, the U.K.’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the National Security Agency (NSA) in the U.S. shared intelligence on the Soviet Union, China, and Eastern European countries. The ECHELON surveillance network was developed to monitor their military and diplomatic communications. While the origins of the FVEY classification focused on combating the Axis Powers and eventually the threat of communism, the alliance continued to evolve. There have been a number of notable conflicts FVEY has been involved with, including Vietnam, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and many other instances. Suggested read: How the Battle of the Atlantic Saved the World From Axis Powers There are even instances of FVEY allies working together on intel outside of fallout warfare, such as bugging Kuwaiti government offices, gathering intel during the Tiananmen Square protests, and involvement in various CIA operations in which we overthrew governments. Again, it’s clear that such capabilities among nations can easily be abused. In an evolving world, the only thing that continues to be constant is that we as a whole are becoming more and more connected to each other via the Internet. Cybersecurity concerns are evolving as are the human right to privacy. Furthermore, there are new yet important threats emerging that call for such intel gathering. Five Eyes is well-established and shows no signs of going anywhere.
Is Five Eyes Still Active?
Yes, Five Eyes is still going strong, and one of its adversaries is a classic rival. A particular focus continues to be on China with leaders meeting in 2023 to discuss a range of topics as Asia’s superpower continues to flex its muscles. With these nations sharing information, formally and informally, there's been a major impact on telecommunications, cyber warfare, and other initiatives. From influencing a reduced usage to outright banning Chinese components from 5G networks, it’s clear that some nations are taking even further steps to keep information out of prying eyes. Five Eyes has thwarted hackers, gathered the right knowledge to bolster national security, and continues to work toward maintaining peace for its members. We may be a long way from the days of obscure, manual code-breaking, but as needs evolve, so too do the capabilities of the alliance on a global scale. Read next: China and Russia Teamed Up for Drills; Here’s Why That’s Bad