"Widespread Disquiet" Amongst Allies On Trump-CIA Flap

Posted: December 16th, 2016

By Nigel Inkster

Nigel Inkster has worked at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) since 2007. His current title is Director of Future Conflict and Cyber Security. His research portfolio includes transnational terrorism, insurgency, transnational organised crime, cyber security, intelligence and security and the evolving character of conflict. Before joining IISS he served for thirty-one years in the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) retiring in 2006 as Assistant Chief and Director of Operations and Intelligence.

All week, The Cipher Brief has been covering the news that Russia not only interfered in the U.S. presidential election, but according to CIA analysts, apparently did so with the intent of influencing the outcome in support of Donald Trump. The Cipher Brief wanted to know what U.S. allies, with similar concerns vis-à-vis Russia, think about the revelations and Mr. Trump’s response. The Cipher Brief’s National Security Reporter Kaitlin Lavinder spoke with the British Secret Intelligence Service’s former Assistant Chief and Director of Operations and Intelligence, Nigel Inkster, about his take on the situation.

The Cipher Brief: U.S. allies, like Germany and France, have expressed concern that Russia may attempt to interfere in their elections. How does this news about Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election change the game?

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