Richard Kerbaj

A really good summary of the five eyes phenomena which has been a cornerstone of espionage and spying for the Anglosphere for more than 60 years. This enormous subject is well summarised with major events looked at in some detail but one would describe this as a summary rather than an exhaustive work. The sections on both the Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand apparatus are very interesting but naturally don’t take up as much of the book as their equivalence in the United Kingdom and the US. Everything from the second world war two then the deer of relations following Donald Trump‘s electoral victory in 2016 is dealt with. Anyone with an interest in geopolitics, current affairs, and foreign policy as well as leadership will get something of value from this book.… (meer)

There was an exceptional (and favourable) review in The Australian by Greg Sheridan (1-2 October 2022) of this book, where he declares, early on that the author was once a former journalist of The Australian and a friend of Sheridan, which encouraged me to read this.

And I am glad I did.

I am not a security nor policy wonk and will not try to second guess Sheridan or heaven forgive Kerbaj as to what is portrayed in this book.

It reads, as some commentators have said as if it were a James Bond lite (my words) version of history. Though there is little sex and probably even less martinis.

The Five Eyes accord (USA, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand) was formed in the 1950s but apparently did not become publicly known until 2010.

I have no issue with the formation of such accords or collaborations (and indeed encourage them, for in the absence of them I suspect there would be formed nefarious parallels which would be more problematic).

I came across the Five Eyes very tangentially in the last decade in my (now, completely unrelated, previous professional life). My one comment, given they seemed* to be against what my client was seeking to achieve, was we could not read what would be an acceptable outcome for them or indeed the various intermediaries.

Of course, and I accept that, it may not have been possible to articulate that without compromising other strategic thinking or positions.

But I would have thought that better communications between our governments would be able to address that.

As to the book, it was a great read. i learnt a lot of details and context as to matters as to which I had little before.

It skims across the surface and is not an in depth history of the Five Eyes, but I am pleased it is out there as a start and am glad that an (apparent) Aussie is at the forefront.

Big Ship

29 November 2022… (meer)