Trump's Potential Cutback on NATO Intelligence Sharing Sparks European Concerns

[Social Media]

 

European officials are expressing deep concerns over reports that Donald Trump is considering plans to reduce the sharing of U.S. intelligence with NATO allies if he returns to the presidency. This potential policy change could have profound security implications for Europe, which relies heavily on U.S. intelligence to counter Russian aggression.

 

Trump's advisers have communicated to allied countries that this reduction in intelligence sharing would be part of a broader strategy to scale back U.S. support and cooperation with the 32-nation alliance. These discussions have caused significant unease among European officials, who remember Trump's often critical stance toward NATO during his first term in office.

 

During his initial tenure, Trump frequently questioned the value of NATO and sought to undermine the alliance, which has historically been a cornerstone of transatlantic security. The potential curtailment of intelligence sharing now threatens to severely impact Europe's ability to defend against Russian actions, particularly as Ukraine continues to resist the Russian invasion.

 

The issue of reduced intelligence sharing was a prominent topic at the recent NATO summit, where officials expressed their worries about the potential consequences. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that President Joe Biden had significantly expanded U.S. intelligence sharing, especially regarding Russia, to support NATO allies and counter Russian influence and military operations globally.

 

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General, underscored the importance of U.S. intelligence sharing in uncovering and thwarting Russian destabilizing activities, including sabotage and assassination plots in Europe. He remarked, "What I can say is there is a pattern, a Russian campaign organized by the [Kremlin] security services to conduct hostile actions against NATO allies with different types of hostile actions."

 

The Biden administration's approach has been to enhance intelligence collection on Russia and share it widely with allies, a strategy that has been crucial in countering Russian military aggression and other hostile actions. John Brennan, former CIA Director, emphasized the critical nature of this cooperation, stating, "Intelligence sharing among NATO members and with Ukraine has been absolutely essential to counter Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine as well as to uncover and thwart other destabilizing Russian activities in Europe and beyond."

 

The Biden administration's increased intelligence sharing has provided NATO partners with vital information about Russian movements, military maneuvers, and partnerships with countries like Iran and North Korea. This intelligence has been essential for helping NATO countries prepare and respond to potential threats, reinforcing the alliance's collective security.

 

European officials have warned that reducing U.S. intelligence sharing could make Europe more vulnerable to Russian aggression and sabotage. One European official highlighted the critical role of U.S. intelligence, saying, "It’s the American intelligence that helped convince a lot of NATO countries that Putin was resolved to invade Ukraine. Some countries didn’t believe Russia had the capabilities to carry out a successful military campaign."

 

The potential policy shift underscores the delicate balance of intelligence cooperation within NATO and the significant role the U.S. plays in maintaining European security against Russian threats. The Biden administration's increased intelligence sharing has been part of a broader strategy to counter Russian influence and military might in regions traditionally dominated by the U.S., including Africa. CIA Director Bill Burns highlighted the importance of this intelligence in a speech at Georgia Tech in 2022, noting that it had provided valuable lessons on "how to develop good intelligence and deploy it openly and creatively to discredit the false narratives on which adversaries so often thrive."

 

Despite the crucial role of U.S. intelligence, there is concern that European countries might retaliate by reducing their own intelligence sharing with the U.S. if Trump were to hold back information. A recently retired senior U.S. official explained, "Almost as harmful as ceasing cooperation with our European allies is the fact that they’re likely to hold back intelligence from us given Trump’s pretty fast and loose handling of classified information. There are things our allies know that we don’t that we count on when it comes to certain sources."

 

This potential reduction in intelligence sharing could not only weaken NATO's collective defense but also hinder the ability of individual European countries to respond to Russian threats. A senior NATO official emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Russia right now, they’re committing actual acts of arson and sabotage and planning assassinations on allied soil all in an effort to undermine support for Ukraine amongst our domestic populations. The U.S. has increased intelligence sharing within NATO in order to help support the response to these sabotage campaigns. And that’s having a real impact."

 

The possibility of a Trump administration scaling back U.S. intelligence sharing with NATO allies has sparked a significant debate within the alliance. European officials are urging the U.S. to maintain its current level of cooperation to ensure the security and stability of the region. As one European official put it, "Intel sharing is often two-way traffic." The potential cutback not only jeopardizes European security but also risks alienating key allies who have been instrumental in supporting the U.S. in various global security initiatives.

 

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the importance of robust intelligence sharing among NATO allies cannot be overstated. The Biden administration's efforts to enhance this cooperation have provided critical support to Ukraine and bolstered the alliance's ability to counter Russian aggression. Any move to reduce this intelligence sharing could have far-reaching consequences for the security and stability of Europe and the broader international community.

 

Credit: Politico 2024-07-13

 

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[Cryingdick]

Funny thing is the reports I hear say NATO officials are alarmed by Joe's decline. 

[Tug]

55 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

Funny thing is the reports I hear say NATO officials are alarmed by Joe's decline. 

Funny thing is I hear nato officials are deeply alarmed by a possible trump presidency they are doing their level best to protect themselves in the possibility of the felon cutting and running creating a vac for the bad guys to fill

[stoner]

everyone wants to be a part of NATO but they don't want to pay their fair share. shame on you canada you make me sick....

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/poilievre-dumpster-fire-economy-nato-1.7261981

 

 

[Pique Dard]

Russia has NO REASON to invade Europe, and nothing can justify the existence of Nato after the dislocation of the Warsaw Pact. These are facts.

[animalmagic]

Trump's Potential Cutback on NATO Intelligence Sharing Sparks European Concerns - 

We have all the funding/intelligence we need out of Russia.

[Will B Good]

Presumably there is no panic if they are talking about Trump not sharing his intelligence?

[nobodysfriend]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

reports that Donald Trump is considering plans to reduce the sharing of U.S. intelligence with NATO allies if he returns to the presidency

 

His return to presidency would be a disaster , not only for the US .

In a time when Russia , China , India look to establish a new world order away from American dominance , Trump seems to prefer to isolate America and does not give much value to signed international treaties .

He wants MAGA , but he will isolate the US on the international stage , in a time where world peace depends on international relations and negotiations .

[nobodysfriend]

1 hour ago, Pique Dard said:

Russia has NO REASON to invade Europe, and nothing can justify the existence of Nato after the dislocation of the Warsaw Pact. These are facts.

 

Hi Vlad , how are you this morning ...?

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Pique Dard said:

Russia has NO REASON to invade Europe, and nothing can justify the existence of Nato after the dislocation of the Warsaw Pact. These are facts.

So Ukraine isn’t a European nation and the illegal military invasion of Ukraine isn’t a matter of concern for other European nations that happen to be nato Members.

 

Or do you not understand what constitutes facts?!

[Chomper Higgot]

I wonder who this would benefit?

[nobodysfriend]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I wonder who this would benefit?

 

Putin & co  of course .

 

( need to say it , many do not understand hypothetical questions . )

[Luuk Chaai]

it's a no brainer.....

 YOU GOTTA PAY !

[john donson]

great intelligence right?  9/11 and stuff...  invasion of iraq, which had nothing to do

 

forever wars in afghanistan to abandon people there suddenly after 20 years

 

libya, syria, all safer places now right ?  or millions of muslim economical asylum seekers invading west europe as a result

[ballpoint]

I don't know why it's a surprise to anyone that a Trump Whitehouse would have less intelligence to share.

[Tug]

27 minutes ago, ballpoint said:

I don't know why it's a surprise to anyone that a Trump Whitehouse would have less intelligence to share.

Actually I think our intelligence agencies would be less forthcoming if the traitor managed to get back in!

[animalmagic]

4 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

Russia has NO REASON to invade Europe, and nothing can justify the existence of Nato after the dislocation of the Warsaw Pact. These are facts.

Yeah right!  Apart from the ones that he considers to be part of the old Russian Empire.

[animalmagic]

7 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Funny thing is the reports I hear say NATO officials are alarmed by Joe's decline. 

Can't be alarmed by 45's decline.  He's hit rock bottom and started to dig!

[Nickcage49]

The words Trump and intelligence should never be written together...

[ballpoint]

5 hours ago, Tug said:

Actually I think our intelligence agencies would be less forthcoming if the traitor managed to get back in!

The intelligence I was referring to was IQ rather than CIA type.

[Fortean1]

I worked the AFSOUTH, Allied Forces South, NATO communications center in Naples, Italy from 1/77 to 1/80.  Pooled intelligence was received and sent in five letter code groups.  Only three or four people working each shift or watch was cleared.  Other intelligence messages were sent and received via on-line encrypted circuits.  The pooled intelligence I mentioned was handled in the Special Handling Detachment.  The source country was not revealed.  I saw Soviet ship movements, Fidel Castro's visits to Angola, and special data.  At NATO headquarters in Brussels there is a special handling (U.S.) group that served Colonel promotable and above officers.  These were restricted to United Kingdom and U.S. officers.  Those 13 other countries, and especially the French, were not to be trusted.  The French military did participate in NATO exercises.  One of our customers in Naples, Italy was the French Military Mission.  Quite a few of the classified NATO teletypes were clearly marked NOT RELEASABLE TO THE FRENCH.  We sent and received teletypes to French ships as well as including Marseilles, Toulon, and Paris.

[Fortean1]

21 hours ago, Fortean1 said:

I worked the AFSOUTH, Allied Forces South, NATO communications center in Naples, Italy from 1/77 to 1/80.  Pooled intelligence was received and sent in five letter code groups.  Only three or four people working each shift or watch was cleared.  Other intelligence messages were sent and received via on-line encrypted circuits.  The pooled intelligence I mentioned was handled in the Special Handling Detachment.  The source country was not revealed.  I saw Soviet ship movements, Fidel Castro's visits to Angola, and special data.  At NATO headquarters in Brussels there is a special handling (U.S.) group that served Colonel promotable and above officers.  These were restricted to United Kingdom and U.S. officers.  Those 13 other countries, and especially the French, were not to be trusted.  The French military did participate in NATO exercises.  One of our customers in Naples, Italy was the French Military Mission.  Quite a few of the classified NATO teletypes were clearly marked NOT RELEASABLE TO THE FRENCH.  We sent and received teletypes to French ships as well as including Marseilles, Toulon, and Paris.

Here is a good pictorial history and most have captions:

https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_194081.htm

 

In the SHD a storyboard listed the countries included in the pooled intelligence network.  The full 12 nations (in 1979) and a few more.  I recall Japan and South Africa.  These were not obviously countries in Europe.  Technical note: All proper names were repeated; punctuation was spelled out in an abbreviated form (e.g., CMM for comma, PD for period or full stop, QUESTION MARK for ?, paren for ( and unparen for ), and others.  The punched Baudot paper tape from the teletype had the full message in 5-letter code groups (e.g., ABCDE ZRUZE EATDZ RUMOU HAZDR DEFGH).  This perforated paper tape was fed through an HL-1B after setting the code for that day.  There is an excellent overview of the KL-7 system.  Please see: http://jproc.ca/crypto/crypto2/kl7.html The final message from the KL-7 system was sent from Ottawa, Canada.  Office symbols include "SSO" which means Special Security Office or shall we say back channel communications.  As the paper tape fed through the tape reader it produced a small white paper tape, not unlike correction tape in size.  This was torn off and placed on a page of typing paper and enveloped for delivery.  In 1979, a compromise forced the rewiring of all rotors globally.  I recall spending most of the night rewiring our rotors, a group effort by several of us.

[Hummin]

On 7/13/2024 at 2:46 AM, nobodysfriend said:

 

His return to presidency would be a disaster , not only for the US .

In a time when Russia , China , India look to establish a new world order away from American dominance , Trump seems to prefer to isolate America and does not give much value to signed international treaties .

He wants MAGA , but he will isolate the US on the international stage , in a time where world peace depends on international relations and negotiations .

Good luck with all bases being created world around to secure their dominanse and also how their weapon production is being done in every country being part of nato. Each and one have their role in the big puzzle. So if Usa isolate themselves, they collaps. 

 

Indoa on one hand, is tired of being the soi dog for western countries, and seek truce with China establishing stronger ties with Russia. 

[Fortean1]

PAX America replaced by PAX China or PAX Russia would be a road fraught with danger.  Methinks there are people here just poking the pooch.

[Hummin]

7 minutes ago, Fortean1 said:

PAX America replaced by PAX China or PAX Russia would be a road fraught with danger.  Methinks there are people here just poking the pooch.

It will start with Saudia Arabia, leaving and turn Usa their back, and then one by one will join. Wait and see

[riclag]

On 7/13/2024 at 3:31 AM, Social Media said:

European officials are expressing deep concerns over reports that Donald Trump is considering plans to reduce the sharing of U.S. intelligence with NATO allies

Yup ! France was once a great ally !

Now that great country , aint so great!

Communism has a hold , matter of fact,Nato countries alliance with hamas & proxies,has to scrutinize as well!

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/08/nfp-new-popular-front-france-election-winner-melenchon

 

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/houthis-europe-eu/

[riclag]

On 7/13/2024 at 8:24 AM, Luuk Chaai said:

it's a no brainer.....

 YOU GOTTA PAY !

Americans except for the progressive left dont want to have their Tax dollars spent on Terror or communist influenced countries.