US, France decide to bolster intelligence sharing

US and France decided to bolster their intelligence sharing against terrorists in the aftermath Paris terrorist attack.

Washington: The US and France on Monday decided to bolster their intelligence sharing against terrorists with the French having declared war against the Islamic State in the aftermath Paris terrorist attack.

"In the wake of the recent attack on France, we stand strong and firm with our oldest ally, which is why the US and France have decided to bolster our intelligence sharing," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.

Over the past year, the US has been working closely with the French military, intelligence, and security services to strengthen intelligence sharing to prosecute counter terrorism threats around the globe, specifically ISIL, he said.

The US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter and the Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper have provided new instructions that will enable US military personnel to more easily share operational planning information and intelligence with French counterparts on a range of shared challenges to the fullest extent allowed by existing law and policy, Cook said.

"This new guidance underscores the strength of the security partnership with France and builds on longstanding cooperation that will improve our ability to deter and defeat mutual enemies, particularly ISIL," Cook said.