Jeffrey Goldberg’s Unexpected Access to US War Plans on Yemen Through Signal
A Signal connection request from Michael Waltz led Jeffrey Goldberg into military discussions regarding the Houthis in Yemen. President Trump had initiated military strikes against the group, with discussions including high-ranking officials typically reserved for national security matters. Goldberg’s involvement in this confidential dialogue illustrates the intersection of journalism and governmental strategy.
On March 15, President Donald Trump initiated military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis, warning Iran to cease its support for this group following attacks on Red Sea shipping. A seemingly routine message on Signal led journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to unexpectedly access high-level military strategies, commencing with a connection request from Michael Waltz, national security adviser to Trump, on March 11.
Goldberg initially questioned the authenticity of the request, given the often contentious relationship between the Trump administration and the press. However, he chose to accept the request, anticipating discussions about pressing issues such as Ukraine or Iran, as he detailed in his account for The Atlantic magazine, where he serves as editor-in-chief.
Two days later, Goldberg was notified of his addition to a Signal group chat named “Houthi PC small group,” suggesting discussions would delve into sensitive topics regarding the Houthi movement in Yemen. At 4:28 pm local time, the first message from “Michael Waltz” outlined the objective of forming a coordination group concerning Houthis within a critical 72-hour timeframe.
Goldberg was taken aback by the message’s content, which indicated the serious nature of the discussions. He noted that the term “principals committee” typically refers to senior officials in national security, including secretaries of defense, state, and treasury, as well as the CIA director.
Finding himself included in what appeared to be a confidential dialogue was unprecedented for Goldberg, who had spent years reporting on national security. The continuation of the message requested the best point of contact from his team for coordination, a practice he found novel, as he had not experienced a White House principals committee meeting being organized via a commercial messaging application before.
Jeffrey Goldberg’s unexpected journey into military discussions began with a connection request from Michael Waltz, indicating the potential for sensitive matters regarding the Houthi movement. His inclusion in this high-level conversation highlights the intricate interplay between national security and media, particularly in an administration known for its contentious stance towards journalists. Goldberg’s experience reveals the evolving landscape of communication within governmental structures.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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