James Bond will not help the US anymore? Politico: It's time to limit intelligence cooperation

Some experts on the subject believe that it is time for the United Kingdom to limit the exchange of intelligence with the United States, which has long been one of the most important elements of the special relations of these two countries – the Politico portal wrote on Sunday.

The special relations of Great Britain with the United States were strained on several fronts by the new administration of the US President Donald Trump, but many in the national security community thought that the last bastion was the approach to intelligence information. Recently, however, even serious cracks began to appear there – the portal noted.

Politico drew attention to Trump's order to suspend the provision of intelligence information and inadvertently adding a journalist to a journalist to a conversation of officials by the National Security Advisor, during which the topic of the attack on Huti Rebels in Yemen was discussed. “This shows a rather free administration attitude to delicate security issues,” he added.

“Intelligence connections of both countries are so deep that their solution may be impossible. However, despite the complicated nature of the relationship, London must start planning what was unthinkable before,” said the portal, recalling “Trump's departure from alliances and common international goals.”

The United Kingdom has many necessary assets in this relationship, the most important of which are eavesdropping positions. The key data they collect make the US depend on them. “For example, in Cyprus, which allows the US to collect information from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, very important because of Israel,” noted Neil Melvin from the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi).

“People associated with the interview are divided into what to do. Most agree, however, that the most disturbing is the alleviation of Washington's position towards the Kremlin” – emphasized Politico. “We are not in crisis yet, but there is a new level of caution in relations,” said Melvin.

“You have to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” said Politico was a high ranking intelligence official. Another pointed out that “trust in the United States is already a past.” Experts summed up, however, that “intelligence relations are so deep that they will be the last element of the transatlantic relationship that will break down.” (PAP)

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