German spies are everywhere ...

This is kind of funny, especially if you have ever had long arguments with your German war college classmates over some fine point of doctrine.

I would bet that this is some German at some NATO staff somewhere ... it has to be ... who has his lederhosen in a wad over two things:

1. An American is doing something not IAW German doctrine.
2. Uncle Sam is slowly taking back the keys because swishy-swishy NATO can't do the job.

The U.S. general commanding NATO forces in Afghanistan has ordered a merger of the office that releases news with "Psy Ops," which deals with propaganda, a move that goes against the alliance's policy, three officials said.

The move has worried Washington's European NATO allies -- Germany has already threatened to pull out of media operations in Afghanistan -- and the officials said it could undermine the credibility of information released to the public.

Yes, someone has gone to the press over changes in someone's C2 diagram.

U.S. General David McKiernan, the commander of 50,000 troops from more than 40 nations in NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), ordered the combination of the Public Affairs Office (PAO), Information Operations and Psy Ops (Psychological Operations) from December 1, said a NATO official with detailed knowledge of the move.

"This will totally undermine the credibility of the information released to the press and the public," said the official, who declined to be named.

It would be nice if some people would put out as much effort in getting their nation to actually contribute outside a FOB to win a war than taking about how many hobnails can fit on a boot - or sump'n like that.

But another ISAF official confirmed that the amalgamation of public affairs with Information Operations and Psy Ops was part of the planned command restructure. This official, who also declined to be named, said the merger had caused considerable concern at higher levels within NATO which had challenged the order by the U.S. general.

What is German for "No Daddy ... not the keys!!!"

The United States has 35,000 of the 65,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, operating both under ISAF and a separate U.S.-led coalition operation, but both come under McKiernan's command.

Washington is already scheduled to send another 3,000 troops to arrive in the country in January and is now considering sending 20,000 more troops in the next 12 to 18 months, further tipping the numerical balance among ISAF forces.

"What we are seeing is a gradual increase of American influence in all areas of the war," the NATO official said. "Seeking to gain total control of the information flow from the campaign is just part of that."

Talk talk talk. Walk walk walk.

Oh, and this is for you Anthony M.


Hat tip NATO spy.