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White House has quietly launched a massive review into how the UK’s Huawei decision impacts America.

Every US intelligence + military asset in Britain being assessed for impact.

Spy planes + agents could be pulled out as a result.

Quick thread...
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/0…
The review is being run by the White House’s National Security Council (which advises Trump on foreign policy + national security stuff).

Has not been made public. But half a dozen sources (inc US + UK officials) have told @Telegraph it is happening and gave insights.
Review was begun shortly after Boris announced Huawei would help build Britain’s 5G network in January.

Trump admin had been lobbying fiercely in both public and private against the decision. Not impressed when it was taken.
At heart is a difference of opinion.

UK barred Huawei from its ‘core’ (ie most sensitive) network and capped its share of non-core to 1/3.

We argued it’s the best outcome given the circumstances (only 3 providers available) and are adamant it won’t compromise security.
The US assessment - shared by Trump, his cabinet, his intel agencies and a lot of Republicans in Capitol Hill - is very different.

They argue even a bit of Huawei access opens up network to the Chinese government. Worried others will follow UK. Often they use v heated language.
So to work out the exposure, the NSC has launched a review looking at every US asset in Britain.

Could it be impacted by Huawei decision? How? How seriously? And so what should be done?
It’s an interagency review, which means all the relevant bits of the Trump administration feed in.

So in this case Pentagon, the State Department and the various intel agencies all heavily involved.
The US mood music is very much ‘we told you we were serious’.

Here’s what one source who only recently left the NSC told me.

“This was not a bluff. You cannot mitigate the danger Boris Johnson is exposing the UK to by letting Huawei into the network.”
Source continued: “This review is not a punishment. This is the White House saying 'okay, if they're going to go down this path and put themselves at risk then how do we protect ourselves.'”
One area of concern, per multiple sources, is the RC-135s.

They’re reconnaissance aircraft that gather intelligence. Eg to work out what’s happening on the battlefield.

They look something like this...
Around half a dozen of them often fly out of RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk (though formally they’re stationed in Nebraska).

There are 500ish Americans there working on the mission.

But will they remain if Huawei is adopted...
RC-135s are jokingly referred to as ‘flying computers’.

They’re hooked up with unbelievable amounts of sensitive equipment.

If US believes Huawei compromises the network (they do) then will they stay? Sources said to be determined.
Another area of concern are intelligence missions the US conducts from Britain.

UK argues this isn’t an issue as Huawei can’t build parts of the network that handle intel.

But some on US side aren’t so sure there will be no impact.
What about if an agent has a personal phone or laptop connected to the internet?

When they travel round Britain they will interact with non-core parts of the network (ie ones Huawei built).

Could their messages be compromised?

Less missions in UK = agents go elsewhere.
The context is worsening for Britain too, in two ways.

1) Rhetoric on China hardening in DC due to covid crisis. Dems included. So less likely US will compromise.

2) Some Republicans want shift in resources away from Europe + towards Asia. Pulling back from UK fits with this.
This is how one Republican congressional adviser put it.

We don’t want to damage the special relationship, but...
Final points to note...

:: This is just a review. No decisions on redeployments taken yet.

:: Perhaps it’s all just hot air to get Britain to U-turn on decision?

Certainly some in Trump admin are cheering on the Tory grandee rebels still hoping to force a change.
But even so, it is a significant mark crossed in the Huawei row.

Before it was just words of warning from the US.

Now, they’re actively taking steps down a path that could leave US-UK intel and military links damaged.
Ok no more tweets. Do read the full 1000word piece if you’re interested.

And it was a no comment from NSC, No10 and MOD.

(end)
telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/05/0…
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