Iraqi Upoar Over U.S. Spying Allegations

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a meeting with Iraqi tribal leaders in Baghdad August 27, 2008. Iraq will seek an explanation from U.S. officials about a report asserting the United States spied on Iraqi officials, including Maliki, the Iraqi government spokesman said on Friday. REUTERS/Iraqi Government/Handout

U.S. Spied on Maliki, Book Says, Upsetting Iraq
-- New York Times

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government reacted with concern and dismay on Friday to allegations that American officials spied on Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, and warned that it could affect negotiations over the continuing American troop presence in the country.

The claims about espionage against senior Iraqi government figures appear in Bob Woodward’s book “The War Within: A Secret White House History, 2006-2008,” The Washington Post reported Friday.

Ali al-Dabbagh, a government spokesman, said Mr. Maliki’s government would seek explanations and assurances about the conduct of the C.I.A. and other intelligence agencies.

Read more ....

More News On Spying Allegations in Iraq

Iraq govt reacts sharply to US spying allegations -- Yahoo News/AP
Iraq wants answers on reported U.S. spying -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Iraq to quiz US over spying claim -- BBC News
Iraq Wants Explanation of US Spying Report -- Voice Of America
Iraq Government Reacts Sharply to Allegations of US Spying -- New York Sun
Fury in Iraq as Bob Woodwood claims US spied on Nouri al-Maliki -- Times Online
Iraq shock at spying claims -- Financial Times
White House Disputes Book's View of Bush -- Washington Post
White House Reacts to Bob Woodward Book; Revelatory ABC News Interview From 2006 -- ABC News
A detached President Bush? Not so, top aide says -- LA Times

My Comment: The book's allegations of CIA murder squads that targeted Al Qaeda and extremist leaders would .... I thought .... be the news item that most people would be worked up about. But no. Listening into people's phone calls is what is getting everyone upset.

Realistically, one has to be quite stupid if you think your communications would not be intercepted in a WAR ZONE!!!! But having said that, if the allegations are true it is a strange way to treat an ally. But this is nothing new. Countries have always spied on their allies, and the U.S. is no exception (I assume).

The key questions that have to be asked are (1) was this deliberate and authorized and (2) was the information useful. If the answer is yes and yes .... as far as I am concerned this case is then closed.