German Intelligence Spied on Obama for Years: How They Monitored Air Force One

Wiretapping the US President

According to Главком: The German intelligence agency (BND) wiretapped US President Barack Obama for several years, including his communications aboard the presidential plane Air Force One. This practice was halted in 2014. Transcripts of Obama's conversations were kept in a special folder in a single copy, indicating the seriousness and confidentiality of these records.

In addition to Obama, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also wiretapped. The decision to cease wiretapping was made by the head of the chancellery, Peter Altmaier, who, however, was unaware of the surveillance on Obama. Interestingly, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also not aware of this activity.

Surveillance Issues Among Allies

The issue of surveillance among allies became particularly relevant after it was revealed in October 2013 that the US National Security Agency had wiretapped Merkel's phone. This incident caused outrage on the international stage. Also, in 2017, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit, a listening device was discovered, as reported by Boris Johnson.

Angela Merkel noted that 'surveillance among friends is unacceptable.'

These facts indicate the complex relations between Germany and the United States, as well as the challenges that states face in the context of security and trust.

This situation underscores the importance of transparency and trust in relationships among allies, especially when it comes to information sharing and security. It also illustrates how surveillance technologies can affect diplomatic relations, creating tension even between countries with common interests. Investigating and discussing such cases can contribute to improving cooperation and preventing similar incidents in the future.