In the latest NSC Policy Options Paper, William A. Stoltz explores a 2020 vision for Five Eyes.

Key points:

Five Eyes has been a primarily operational grouping, but it is starting to broaden collaboration – particularly to address COVID-19 recovery. Five Eyes needs new planning structures if it is to undertake more concerted, strategic initiatives.

To address the greatest security challenges to the liberal international order, like-minded nations must collaborate on new frontiers – including geoeconomics, cyber and critical technologies, and strategic diplomacy.

There is momentum for a broader coalition of democracies (like a ‘D-10’) to address these global challenges, but there are major barriers to the formation and success of such a group.

Policy recommendations:

The Australian Government should leverage its Five Eyes partnerships and credibility as a constructive middle power to advocate for an expanded, more formally coordinated Five Eyes.

A Five Eyes Leaders Summit should be established, informed by a Secretariat which would develop options for new joint activities and strategic planning. An expanded, more strategic Five Eyes should be used as the nucleus for a global coalition of democracies.