Glad to be of Service: The Role of Small States in Intelligence Cooperation and the Myth of the “Quid Pro Quo” Principle

The chapter addresses the asymmetric intelligence cooperation between a small state and much larger power. The outset is the recent revelation of a long-lasting Danish-US SIGINT cooperation which amongst others targeted friendly European governments and presumably involved the exchange of large amounts of raw intelligence. First, the chapter presents the basic challenges of researching Danish intelligence cooperation. The access to data is highly restricted by the intelligence community, and the voices of the Danish services dominates the public realm. Thus, common-sense arguments often stand undisputed. Due to the lack of sources, empirical studies are rare and concentrated on the Cold War era. Despite the difficult situation, the chapter confronts the publicly widespread understanding that the asymmetric intelligence cooperation is based on a “quid pro quo” principle. As alternative gains for the smaller partner instead of intelligence, the chapter discusses the categories: access to foreign technology and finance, training of intelligence specialists, support of Danish troops on foreign battlefields, warning against potential terrorist attacks, national interest, and recognition from the larger partner.