In 2021, revelations emerged that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) had collaborated with Danish intelligence to spy on senior officials from several Western European countries, including Sweden, France, Norway, and Germany. The most shocking aspect of this news was the report that former German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone had been wiretapped for decades. Although claims of U.S. spying on European allies were nothing new, the involvement of Denmark brought renewed alarm across Europe.
Given the shared values and long-standing alliances among these nations, one might wonder why such espionage activities occur. Shouldn’t allies be working together rather than spying on each other? Surprisingly, history shows that espionage among allies is not only common but often deemed necessary.
The Reality of Espionage Among Allies
Spying on allies may seem counterintuitive, but in the world of espionage, it is business as usual. The stakes are incredibly high, and the potential intelligence gained from spying on an ally can be significant enough to justify the risks of being caught and facing diplomatic fallout. The Snowden leaks in 2013, which exposed the extent of the NSA’s global surveillance programs, revealed just how far-reaching U.S. espionage efforts were—even among its closest allies.
For instance, Angela Merkel publicly condemned the NSA’s phone-tapping activities. However, this outrage quickly faded, and within a few years, it was revealed that Germany’s intelligence agency, the BND, had been spying on allied nations, including the U.S., as well. The BND targeted institutions like the U.S. White House, the Department of the Interior, and even NGOs like the Vatican. This hypocrisy only highlights the global acceptance of espionage, even among friends.
Economic Espionage: The Competitive Edge
One of the primary motivations for espionage among allies is economic advantage. During the 1980s and 1990s, the French intelligence agency, DGSE, engaged in economic espionage against the United States. French agents reportedly spied on American companies like IBM to gain competitive advantages for French businesses. The DGSE was even accused of stealing proprietary information and bribing employees to extract secrets that would enhance France’s competitiveness in the tech industry.
This type of economic espionage was not limited to the 1990s. The Echelon global surveillance network, created during the Cold War by the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (the Five Eyes alliance), continued to operate long after the Soviet Union’s collapse. Although its original purpose was to gather intelligence on the Eastern Bloc, Echelon reportedly morphed into a tool for economic espionage against European allies. In the mid-1990s, it was alleged that Echelon intercepted communications from Airbus, benefiting its American competitor, Boeing.
Security Concerns: When Allies Can’t Be Fully Trusted
Another reason for spying on allies is the need to ensure security, even within alliances. A notable example is the case of Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to her wedding in 2018. The sight of her dancing with Putin raised concerns among Western intelligence agencies about Austria’s alignment with Russia. As a result, several agencies stopped sharing sensitive information with Austria, fearing it could be passed on to Moscow.
This incident illustrates the need for allies to assess each other’s loyalty and political alignments independently. Even if a country’s intelligence service does not perceive a threat, other allies may not trust that assessment. Thus, espionage among allies becomes a necessary precaution.
Ideological Espionage and the Threat of Double Agents
Espionage can also be driven by ideological concerns. During the Cold War, the CIA’s Chief of Counterintelligence, James Jesus Angleton, was notorious for suspecting that major world leaders were Soviet assets. He accused leaders like Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson of being compromised.
One of the most infamous cases of a double agent within an alliance is that of Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. Navy intelligence analyst who was convicted of spying for Israel in the 1980s. Despite the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel, Pollard’s actions strained bilateral relations. His case highlights the reality that even the closest allies may resort to espionage to protect their national interests.
Espionage Beyond the Western Bloc
The practice of spying on allies is not confined to Western nations. Russia and China, despite their united front against the West, have a history of spying on each other. In 2023, the director of a top Russian science institute, along with two scientists specializing in hypersonic missiles, were accused of leaking secrets to China. Although some have questioned the legitimacy of these charges, they underscore the ongoing espionage activities between these two supposed allies.
The Inevitable Reality of Espionage
In the world of intelligence, the adage “We have no friends, only targets” reflects the harsh reality that even the closest allies are not exempt from espionage. Economic, security, and ideological concerns often drive nations to spy on each other, even when it risks diplomatic fallout. While these activities may seem contradictory to the principles of alliances, they are deemed necessary to protect national interests and ensure that no ally can undermine another.
As the revelations of espionage continue to surface, it becomes clear that in the shadowy world of intelligence, trust among allies is never absolute. Instead, espionage remains a tool for nations to safeguard their interests, even if it means spying on their closest friends.
FAQs
1. Why do countries spy on their allies? Countries spy on their allies primarily for economic, security, and ideological reasons. Economic espionage can give a nation a competitive advantage, while security concerns may arise if there is suspicion that an ally could be compromised or aligning with adversaries.
2. Is espionage among allies a recent phenomenon? No, espionage among allies has been a common practice for decades. Historical examples include the U.S. spying on European leaders and France engaging in economic espionage against the U.S. during the 1980s and 1990s.
3. How do countries justify the risks of being caught spying on allies? Nations often deem the potential intelligence gains worth the risks of being caught. The information gathered can be crucial for national security, economic competitiveness, or understanding the political alignments of allies.
4. What are the consequences of getting caught spying on an ally? The consequences can include strained diplomatic relations, reduced intelligence sharing, and damage to mutual trust. However, these incidents rarely lead to the complete breakdown of alliances, as espionage is often viewed as an inevitable aspect of international relations.
5. How do revelations of espionage affect public perception? While initial revelations of espionage can lead to public outrage, such incidents often fade from public consciousness over time. Governments may issue condemnations, but the underlying practices usually continue.
6. Are non-Western nations also involved in spying on their allies? Yes, espionage among allies is not limited to Western nations. For example, Russia and China have been known to spy on each other, despite their strategic partnership against the West.
7. Is there any way to prevent espionage among allies? Completely preventing espionage among allies is unlikely, as national interests often drive these activities. However, increased transparency, stronger intelligence-sharing agreements, and mutual trust can reduce the need for such espionage.
