Why Is Germany Using Old-Fashioned Anti-Spying Methods against America?

It looks as if Germany is frustrated and helpless [in the face of] America’s spying. This could be gleaned from the counterspying methods Germany employed in the past few days. According to reports, the German congress asked everyone to put their cell phones and computers into a metal box to prevent eavesdropping. Loud classical music was played during the meeting to overshadow the meeting noises. The congress also considered recording key documents not in computers, but on typewriters. It was quite a serious act.

Snowden’s revelations have made Germans realize that America’s spying activities in their country have far surpassed their imagination. Even Chancellor Merkel’s cell phone was tapped; American spying was everywhere, brazen and outrageous. In early July, Germany fought back after suffering in silence. On July 4, Germany’s federal intelligence agency arrested employees suspected of providing intel to America; on July 9, the same charges were used to arrest national security employees suspected of selling intel to America; on the 10th, the German government gave the Germany-based U.S. intelligence chief an expulsion order. The German media commented this way on such actions: These unfriendly diplomatic maneuvers between the two allies were unprecedented in the past 70 years; they were never-before-seen German protests of America’s arrogance.

Why is America still so active and ruthless toward spying on Germany? There are two important factors. One, Germany is not in the core group of America’s allies. In the U.S.-created the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, in addition to America there is Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, all of which are Anglo-Saxon. The five countries work together and spy on the world, but never against each other; Germany is excluded. Two, Germany grew too fast in recent years. It has greatly increased its strength and gained quite a bit of respect in the EU, becoming an undisputed leader in Europe. America was used to being the king of Europe and is not happy with the development, it is afraid of Germany leading the rest of Europe to fight for independence from America. Therefore, all kinds of methods, from eavesdropping to spy-recruitment, were used to watch Germany.

America’s actions also reflect its anxiety and nervousness toward the U.S.-Europe relationship. America has seen Europe’s increasing pulling-away and lack of following, is worried and paranoid, and concerned over its status and supremacy in Europe. The increased spying on American allies is a revelation of this anxiety.

Germany may be upset over U.S. spying, but it cannot overly offend America, considering the latter’s position. Germany has asked America to sign a two-sided no-spying agreement but was refused. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton even said recently that America will not sign a no-spying agreement with any country — meaning America can spy on other countries however it wants; it has always done so and always will. Its stance is brazen and unreasonable.

Of course, Germany knows that with America’s advanced surveillance techniques and seamless spying network, old-fashioned counterspying methods like playing music will not work very well. Germany is doing this to tell America: We’re watching you. But even more importantly, Germany is showing its citizens that it is wise to guard against allies who mean to harm you. Never mind the so-called “partnership across the Atlantic Ocean,” the lack of trust between the two countries runs deep.