The “Five Eyes” Alliance Could Include a New Alliance Without the US

• A “Four Eyes” intelligence sharing alliance may be happening soon, considering the current position of the U.S.
• Britain is considering this option now, as President Trump wants to keep 5 Eyes intel from being shared with Ukraine.
• The proposal would create an enclave within the already existing Alliance.

Britain’s defense establishment is calling for the creation of a new “Four Eyes” intelligence sharing alliance to exclude the United States, following President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to block the sharing of classified US-generated intelligence with Ukraine.

Defense officials in the UK suggest forming a subset group, informally dubbed “Four Eyes,” which would continue intelligence-sharing operations without the risk of being vetoed by the US. 

A defense source clarified that this move is about creating a new “Four Eyes” without America within the Five Eyes.

Recent press reports say President Trump's decision, leveraging his influence within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—which includes the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand—has strained traditional intelligence-sharing mechanisms. 

The unprecedented move has raised concerns over the impact on Ukraine's capacity to defend itself amid the ongoing Russian offensive. 

The Institute for the Study of War has warned that withholding such intelligence "damages Ukraine's ability to defend itself against ongoing Russian attacks."

The proposal highlights a growing concern regarding U.S. reliability under President Trump’s administration, particularly concerning NATO and allied commitments. 

NATO officials and defense experts have highlighted the strategic repercussions of such intelligence restrictions, particularly when facing coordinated Russian aggression. 

Ukraine, a key Eastern European ally, has consistently relied on classified information shared through the Five Eyes system to bolster its defenses.

The decision by the U.S. raises significant questions about the integrity and future of multilateral intelligence alliances, especially as geopolitical tensions with Russia continue to escalate. Despite the growing pressure for alternatives, the U.K. government remains cautious in its stance. 

The Five Eyes Alliance states are in agreement to share signals intelligence (SIGINT). This can include communication intelligence (Internet activity, emails, text messages, and phone calls) and electronic intelligence (signals from surface-to-air missile systems and radars)

Some VPNs fall under its regulations since they are headquartered in these countries, but how this decision would influence VPNs remains to be seen.