The Guardian reports that the British intelligence agency, the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), intercepted foreign politicians' communications at the G20 Summit in 2009. As more revelations appeared about the symbiotic relationship between the GCHQ and the NSA, it became increasingly apparent that the two organizations had conducted extensive surveillance on foreign countries and their leaders. According to an article published by The Guardian on Aug. 1, the United States had also funded certain programs in the GCHQ.
An article that appeared on Sept. 11 also showed that the NSA shares raw intelligence, including American data, with Israel.
Why is this important? In the realm of foreign relations, news of the United States’ elaborate overseas surveillance programs was not very well received. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff were particularly displeased with President Obama, and both publically admonished him for the NSA programs. Interestingly, Edward Snowden said in an interview with der Spiegel in July that the NSA "is in bed together with the Germans."
