Significant Security Breach in Yemen Attack Planning Exposed by…

Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief of The Atlantic, was wrongly added to a chat where U.S. officials planned military strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This event exemplifies a serious breach in operational security and raises questions about internal communication protocols. The resulting military action, however, went ahead despite the leak, highlighting the complexities and challenges facing U.S. foreign policy in the region.

In a significant security lapse, Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a text group in which senior US officials discussed covert bomb plans against Houthi targets in Yemen. This incident highlights a stark contradiction to the Trump administration’s repeated assurances of enhanced security and reduced leaks. The conversation in the group featured detailed plans for the attacks, taking place just hours later.

Goldberg received a connection request on the Signal app from a user identified as Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser. Initially doubting the legitimacy, he later confirmed the account’s authenticity as plans for a Houthi attack were discussed, which included crucial details like target information and weapon deployment strategies for the strikes.

The group messaging provided insights into the internal deliberations within the Trump administration regarding the Houthi threat. Notably, Vice President JD Vance expressed doubts about the attacks, questioning their consistency with Trump’s broader policies, especially concerning Europe and potential repercussions on oil prices.

Opposition from Vance was swiftly countered by an account believed to belong to Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, who reaffirmed the president’s clear directive for the strikes. The group consisted of other high-ranking officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

President Trump claimed ignorance of the security breach, with his spokeswoman expressing confidence in Waltz and the security team. Defense Secretary Hegseth downplayed the situation, asserting that no sensitive war plans were shared. In a statement, the National Security Council acknowledged the thread’s authenticity, maintaining that it posed no danger to national security despite it being a glaring breach of protocols.

Despite assurances, questions were raised about the use of Signal for sensitive communications, as it is not approved for transmitting classified information. Concerns over record preservation also emerged, as the group’s messages were set to disappear after a short duration, violating federal regulations. Following this incident, calls for federal investigations have risen from Democratic lawmakers.

Defense of Waltz came from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who labeled him as trustworthy and cautioned against punitive actions against the involved personnel. Senator Jack Reed criticized the breach as a significant failure in operational security. Notwithstanding the mishap, the U.S. executed the planned missile strikes against the Houthis, who continue to threaten shipping routes in the Red Sea, raising further complexities in the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive chat group has amplified concerns over operational security within the Trump administration. This incident revealed critical plans regarding military actions, leading to inquiries and bipartisan calls for oversight. While officials defended the nature of communications and affirmed that there was no threat to national security, the lack of approval for using Signal and the disappearing messages raise crucial questions about internal protocols for safeguarding classified information. Amidst these concerns, the U.S. proceeded with its military objectives against Houthi forces.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com