U.S. spied on IAEA
The week's news at a glance.
Vienna
The Bush administration intercepted telephone calls from the head of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency to Iranian diplomats, The Washington Post reported this week. Administration officials are combing transcripts of the calls to look for evidence of wrongdoing by Mohamed ElBaradei, secretary-general of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the paper said, quoting unnamed administration sources. The Bush administration has been critical of ElBaradei since he questioned American evidence of an Iraqi nuclear program; now some officials suspect that he is coddling Iran. The IAEA took the reports of spying in stride. “We’ve always assumed that this kind of thing goes on,” IAEA spokesman Mark Gwozdecky said. “We wish it were otherwise, but we know the reality.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What are the different types of nuclear weapons?
The Explainer Speculation mounts that post-war taboo on nuclear weapons could soon be shattered by use of 'battlefield' missiles
-
Floral afternoon teas to enjoy during the Chelsea Flower Show
The Week Recommends These are the prettiest spots in the city to savour a traditional treat
-
How to plan a trip along the Mississippi River
The Week Recommends See this vital waterway from the Great River Road