Former Spy Chief Talks

For John, BLUF:  Fact is, people spy, and they do it to protect themselves.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Former NSA Director—'Shame On Us'.

In an interview for the German Weekly, Der Spiegel, reporters Marc Hujer and Holger Stark talk with Retired Air Force General Michael Hayden.  General Hayden headed both the National Security Agency (Fort Meade) and the Central Intelligence Agency (Langley).  From the article:

In a SPIEGEL interview, former NSA director Michael Hayden, 69, discusses revelations of US spying on Germany made public in documents leaked by Edward Snowden, surveillance against German leaders and tensions between Berlin and Washington.

Regarding the title, the "Shame on Us" refers to letting the secrets out, not the spying itself.  We did a terrible thing, we embarrassed our friends.

Although I'm not prepared to apologize for conducting intelligence against another nation, I am prepared to apologize for embarrassing a good friend.  I am prepared to apologize for the fact we couldn't keep whatever it was we may or may not have been doing secret and therefore put a good friend in a very difficult position. Shame on us.  That's our fault.

Interesting read.  And, a frank, forthright and honest person, General Hayden.

Regards  —  Cliff