The developing story about the National Security Agency’s surveillance, specifically of the United States allies, seems to fly in the face of any constructivist thought that there is no security tension between the United States and the Western European world. The idea that increased interdependence through trade, involvement in IGO’s, and general agreement for global economic policies lead to a never-before-seen level of trust between these countries. One would expect that the United States would focus just on Middle East countries (where the terrorist threat is much greater) or China (which is increasing in military strength and sports the second-greatest military budget).
It is weird to think that some focus was placed on those countries who are suppose to be United States allies.
Other reports indicate, however, that did not only the United States spy on Europe but so did Europe spy on the United States.
Why would either side spy on each other though?
Fear of domestic terrorists attack the allies of their home countries? This would seem more likely in Europe but then why would the NSA be compelled to tape the German chancellors cell phone? Did the United States think the leader of Germany would directly exchange words with terrorists?
Perhaps either side was worried about the development of economic policy that could effect either side in a negative why? I see that as a possibility but can’t help think that is not the case because that type of information (very unlike military/intelligence information) is much more readily available.
In theory, the scope would have to include, not only European leaders, but also European financial institutions and business leaders (as far as I know it does not; I’m not sure).
In the end there is no clean understanding as to the scope of the surveillance or its’ purpose. Which is not surprising given that all the relevant parties take credit for some things, deny some things, and all the reports have not been made available.
To conclude, there is some wiggle room to be given, to both the United States government and the European government, when it comes to spying on each other. For two reasons.
First if they both do it, then there is hardly room to complain on either side. (At least when it comes to the government in aggregate).
Second, trust between people is easier because the damage that comes from a break in that trust is limited. Whereas when in comes to trust between governments, a break in the trust could affect millions of people. (i.e. A surprise military attack could cost thousands of live).
As always, feel free to comment, subscribe, fact-check, spell-check, call me stupid (but give a reason), give me cookie, etc…
Thank you for your time.
References:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allan-topol/friends-spying-on-friends_b_4212534.html
http://www.newser.com/story/176709/nsa-we-didnt-spy-on-europeans-europe-did.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57609833/nsa-chief-we-didnt-spy-on-european-citizens/
http://www.infoworld.com/t/hacking/uk-spy-agency-uses-nsa-attack-hack-slashdot-linkedin-users-230591
http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-US-Doesn-t-Agree-to-a-quot-No-Spy-quot-Pact-with-Germany-399648.shtml
It is weird to think that some focus was placed on those countries who are suppose to be United States allies.
Other reports indicate, however, that did not only the United States spy on Europe but so did Europe spy on the United States.
Why would either side spy on each other though?
Fear of domestic terrorists attack the allies of their home countries? This would seem more likely in Europe but then why would the NSA be compelled to tape the German chancellors cell phone? Did the United States think the leader of Germany would directly exchange words with terrorists?
Perhaps either side was worried about the development of economic policy that could effect either side in a negative why? I see that as a possibility but can’t help think that is not the case because that type of information (very unlike military/intelligence information) is much more readily available.
In theory, the scope would have to include, not only European leaders, but also European financial institutions and business leaders (as far as I know it does not; I’m not sure).
In the end there is no clean understanding as to the scope of the surveillance or its’ purpose. Which is not surprising given that all the relevant parties take credit for some things, deny some things, and all the reports have not been made available.
To conclude, there is some wiggle room to be given, to both the United States government and the European government, when it comes to spying on each other. For two reasons.
First if they both do it, then there is hardly room to complain on either side. (At least when it comes to the government in aggregate).
Second, trust between people is easier because the damage that comes from a break in that trust is limited. Whereas when in comes to trust between governments, a break in the trust could affect millions of people. (i.e. A surprise military attack could cost thousands of live).
As always, feel free to comment, subscribe, fact-check, spell-check, call me stupid (but give a reason), give me cookie, etc…
Thank you for your time.
References:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/allan-topol/friends-spying-on-friends_b_4212534.html
http://www.newser.com/story/176709/nsa-we-didnt-spy-on-europeans-europe-did.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57609833/nsa-chief-we-didnt-spy-on-european-citizens/
http://www.infoworld.com/t/hacking/uk-spy-agency-uses-nsa-attack-hack-slashdot-linkedin-users-230591
http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-US-Doesn-t-Agree-to-a-quot-No-Spy-quot-Pact-with-Germany-399648.shtml
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