Germany's intelligence scandal has a long list of possible consequences

NPR | By Rob Schmitz,

Hannah Bloch

Published October 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM EDT

The arrest last week of August Hanning, a former head of Germany's intelligence service, on treason and espionage charges has left the country in shock. But it's also worrying Western agencies like the CIA, which shares classified information with Germany.

Rob Schmitz

Rob Schmitz is NPR's international correspondent based in Berlin.

See stories by Rob Schmitz

Hannah Bloch

Hannah Bloch is a senior digital editor on NPR's International Desk, overseeing the work of NPR correspondents and freelance journalists around the world.

See stories by Hannah Bloch

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