But most experts say bureaucratic momentum and enduringly good relationships among analysts will keep US intel alliances in good shape. “What you’re still going to find is the rank and file, which includes very powerful capabilities, are still going to collaborate,” David Brumley, CEO of Mayhem Security, tells CSO. “We’re still going to have the Five Eyes. We’re still going to share information about the normal targets. Where we’re going to see big changes on this is at the higher levels. People are going to be less trustworthy about sharing important information.”
“Trump is likely to be more disruptive,” Jim Lewis, SVP and director of the CSIS technology and public policy program, tells CSO. “But the Five Eyes relationship is so longstanding that you just can’t unwind it. So, Five Eyes is unlikely to change as a result.”
ZeroFox’s Darrah, who served as a CIA analyst under both the Obama and Trump administrations, is a big believer in the US intel system. “The relationship with the Five Eyes specifically is so robust and healthy that it would take a radical shift in policy to change things,” he tells CSO.