Submitted 2 days ago by ricesoup@lemmy.ml to [deleted]
I don’t mean the EU as such, as it doesn’t have any spying capabilities, but states like the UK, France, Germany and maybe Sweden, Norway, Italy or Spain must have satellites orbiting earth to spy on adversaries, equipment to eavesdrop on communications like the NSA does, operatives on the ground…
Can they substitute American intelligence gathering, now the US is essentially trying to pull a chamberlain on Ukraine?
It’s important to remember when they say US intelligence is also the combined intelligence of US allies with intelligence sharing agreements. Whenever things were working before it was all blown up the intelligence worked so well because NATO+ block worked as a unit. That’s why it was so important for Putin to deploy his operative to blowing up that alliance.
Yes. Europeans have been enjoying a bed that was made for them in this area as part of a security package that came into existence after WW2. They didn’t have to invest in intelligence as much because they had it delivered to their doors. If that delivery system stops, they will have to replace it. They can do that.
I wouldn’t be surprised if at EU level (+UK) we will see a lot of unified defense initiatives that mention in a subordinated clause that intelligence coordinating and sharing will be part of that as well.
All we can get on that topic is wild speculations. Nobody who has inside knowledge of the exact capabilities of each of these countries is going to share that here.
To some extent. But intelligence is worthless if there’s no one to act on that intelligence, and European militaries are woefully understaffed and underfunded.
Zoldyck@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I dare say intelligence in at least 7 European countries rival the US intelligence. But it’s a good thing imo that a lot of people underestimate European capabilities.
alvvayson@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
Also, when it comes to Russia, Ukrainian intelligence is top notch due to historical ties.
But TBH, I do think Europe needs to find a way to make peace with Russia and with the Middle-East, specifically Turkey, Egypt and Iran.
They are our direct neighbours. The cold war idea that we could have a powerful friend across an ocean, while having strained relationships with our direct neighbours just isn’t going to be a good strategy going forward.
Zoldyck@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Peace with Russia is difficult as long as Russia isn’t interested in peace, which they clearly aren’t
211@sopuli.xyz 2 days ago
Not disagreeing, we should strive for good or at least civil relationships with our neighbors, even if we don’t exactly like each other, but the problem is that
tvbusy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
Good relationships go both ways. It’s pointless to be friendly to an abusive partner. It’s not just Russia but the US as well now.