US Intelligence community, harmed

Trump is shaking the world but he is also rocking the US intelligence commmunity. Listen to the following:

Trump is also firing people in other agencies although the level of involvement seems to be less profound. However, the number of people affected will have an overall effect on the intelligence community. It is not only the morale being affected but also the national security.

Russia and China may be paying attention to these developments and trying to identify the most interesting targets. Although it is going to be difficult for those countries to recruit directly former members of those agencies, there will be for sure a lot of innovation applied to new ways of approach.

They are likely to use proxy services to do the job if the targeted intelligence officer seems to be very antagonic to Russian or Chinese views. And money is always a temptation or a need, especially for officials who are used to a certain level of life which is now jeopardized by his/her own government.

Counterintuitively, the most benefited services might be those of the five eyes community. Many affected intelligence officers might be inclined to cooperate with traditional allies they have worked with in the past. And those services will not reject the offer. Canada will try to get the most out of it.

French services have always had a strained relationship with their US counterparts. Jealousy has always played a role there. Moreover, the CIA office in Paris has been in trouble. The CIA’s Paris station has faced significant internal and reputational challenges recently. A former station chief is currently under investigation for alleged corruption, while another former employee has been entangled in a messy personal divorce. These events prompted the agency in Langley to take visible steps to “refurbish” its Parisian station.

Although the operational impact remains unclear, this renewed reputational strain has prompted corrective actions from headquarters, aligning with the current leadership’s objectives. It can play out in favour of France.

In addition to intelligence officers, the State Secretary is also announcing reduction of numbers in addition to the almost annihilation of the USAID. So, diplomats and civil servants with access to sensitive information are also eligible to be recruited by foreign agencies.

The hunting and fishing season is open. Hunters and fishermen, whether allies or not, have their weapons, ammunition, dogs, bait and rods ready to get the biggest catch of their lives.