A High-Stakes Espionage Scandal: German Intelligence Accused of Spying on Obama

The German press has recently uncovered one of the most serious intelligence cases affecting German-American relations since the Cold War. Reports indicate that specialized technical units of the German Foreign Intelligence Service (BND) spent years intercepting the phone calls of former U.S. President Barack Obama, including communications made from aboard Air Force One.

The Turning Point: This leak revives the sensitive file opened in 2013 when Edward Snowden revealed that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) had hacked Angela Merkel’s phone. At the time, Merkel famously stated, "Spying among friends is unacceptable." Today, it appears Berlin was not just a victim but also an actor. Reports suggest German units exploited technical loopholes in aerial communications to intercept presidential calls, allegedly without Merkel's initial knowledge.

Washington’s Reaction and Trump’s Silence: While President Donald Trump has not yet issued an official public comment, sources indicate deep resentment within U.S. circles. The real concern in Washington is the possibility that German intelligence accessed encrypted U.S. communication codes rather than just passing conversations. This doubles the tension at a time when disagreements between Trump and his European allies are escalating. This scandal reaffirms a hard truth in international relations: alliance does not mean absolute trust, and in the world of intelligence, no one is immune—even aboard the presidential aircraft.