Allegations of Washington spying on Germany has sparked paranoia among officials with analysts suggesting the crisis could end with the Germany being pushed away from the West and embracing Russia. The United States' and Germany's relationship had been rocky since NSA files leaked by Edward Snowden last year alleged that U.S. intelligence officials bugged the cellphone of Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, but the crisis exploded last month when two German government staffers were accused of spying for the U.S. This led to the unprecedented move of top CIA official stationed in Germany being asked to leave the country.
