Originally Posted by KBAR-04
Back to the original issue. I do find this offensive, and this coming from a retired intelligence officer of 22 years...I understand the "game" and it is a game at the macro level. I cant speak to specifics as far as intelligence programs but I can speak from my personal experience in Afghanistan.

In 2002 I was the intelligence chief for a coalition special operations task force and a liaison with the German DSO (their special ops directorate). This was before the NATO task force and these countries were voluntarily fighting alongside US troops. I spent many hours working with and socialising with my German and other allied camrades. I would have found it very difficult to look them in the eye and know we were tapping their Chancellor's communications...


America actions don't surprise me at all, nor do they particularly offend me.. I don't think any country can say they are another's ally 100% come what may any more..

In the main forum I mentioned a story that in the late 1950's the CIA via MI6 and with British Government approval recruited RAF pilots to fly super sensitive U2 missions over the USSR. I can't imagine a closer degree of co-operation between our two countries. But at the same time the US was desperately trying to prevent the UK exporting jet engines on the grounds of national security and was applying considerable pressure to halt these sales. I don't believe for one minute the CIA were not spying on the UK on behalf of the US Government.. Conversely, I would expect MI6 was doing exactly the same for the British Government..

As Ally's, it would be done extremely discretely and very low key by both sides, but both countries had their own national interests at stake..


Men of Harlech[Linked Image]