The Atlantic published a Signal chat detailing U.S. attack plans in Yemen, revealing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s disclosures about bomb timings. This release followed the Trump administration’s denials regarding classified information. Notably absent from the chat was the Joint Chiefs chairman, highlighting unusual dynamics in the national security discussions.

On Wednesday, The Atlantic published a complete Signal chat involving senior national security officials, revealing that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed the precise timings for warplane launches and bomb deployments against the Houthis in Yemen. This information was shared prior to the operations being executed by military personnel. The release came after the Trump administration consistently denied that any classified details were present in the information shared.

The publication of the chat follows a significant period of scrutiny faced by U.S. intelligence and defense leaders, who have been challenged to explain how sensitive information made its way into an unclassified Signal chat, which included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that no classified content was posted in the Signal chat, aiming to quell growing concerns about the information shared.

The chat was also striking for the absence of a key figure: the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Christopher Grady, who is currently acting in that position after the dismissal of former chairman General C.Q. Brown Jr. in February. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz had the authority to determine whether the Joint Chiefs chairman should be included in the discussions based on several criteria, as indicated in a White House memo dated January 20.

In summary, The Atlantic’s release of the Signal chat detailing U.S. military operations in Yemen has raised significant questions regarding the handling and classification of sensitive information. This incident highlights the complexities involved in national security communications, particularly in light of the ongoing issues regarding accountability within the Trump administration. The absence of the Joint Chiefs chairman from the discussion further emphasizes the intricate dynamics among U.S. defense leadership.

Original Source: www.scmp.com

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