That doesn't seem like a huge stretch of imagination at all. There have been rumors years ago that they're doing this with the UK, too, and probably other countries, too.
I wonder if that's why Germany is the most spied upon in EU. Does Germany have the same deal with US? You spy on us, we spy on you?
It can either be that, or US spies on Germany because they want all sort of information from their politicians, businesses, and so on. I doubt most terrorists reside in Germany. So those can be the only 2 explanations.
I don't see how your question follows from my post.
If you intend to imply that I agree with the NSA that Germany is a US possession, then you're wrong. In the 80's I protested American occupation personally.
However, it's useful to understand the mindset of the people in power in Washington. They really do regard everything as American soil.
Finally, from a logical perspective, the Germans didn't allow US military bases; it was part of the post-war occupation accord. The French and the UK got their sectors, too, as did the Soviet Union.
If you're talking about Nellis that's a US airbase with a few UK planes/pilots stationed there mostly for training purposes, which is clearly not the same thing.
Edit: I can't say what I am talking about, but I will say that we (the U.S.) ended up having to lease usage of the U.K. facility even though it was physically located here in the U.S. and protected by U.S. forces.
In fact if Americans weren't in general wary of the government I'd be wondering who kidnapped all of America and replaced them sleeper cell aliens. There's no finer American pasttime than distrusting the government, it's right up there with chopping cherry trees and baseball.
I think so long as the Germans allow the substantial US military occupation to continue, it's VERY likely much of the bureaucracy views Germany as a quasi-possession (ditto Japan and South Korea).
The way the US regularly gets various major countries to dance upon command, probably just helps reinforce that view (eg the US directly threatening Britain in regards to leaving the EU).
I wonder if that's why Germany is the most spied upon in EU. Does Germany have the same deal with US? You spy on us, we spy on you?
It can either be that, or US spies on Germany because they want all sort of information from their politicians, businesses, and so on. I doubt most terrorists reside in Germany. So those can be the only 2 explanations.