Unexpected Access: Jeffrey Goldberg’s Insight into U.S. Military Plans on Yemen

Jeffrey Goldberg, an Israel-American journalist, unwittingly accessed military secrets regarding Yemen after receiving a Signal connection request from Michael Waltz, national security adviser to President Trump. This led to his inclusion in a high-level discussion about the Houthis, a first for a journalist, emphasizing the often tense relationship between the media and the Trump administration.

On March 15, President Donald Trump initiated military strikes against Yemen’s Houthis, cautioning Iran to cease its support following recent attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. A seemingly routine message on the messaging app Signal changed everything for Jeffrey Goldberg, an Israel-American journalist, when he received a connection request from Michael Waltz. Waltz serves as the national security adviser to President Trump, and the request arrived on March 11, leading Goldberg into a world of military secrets and strategic discussions.

Despite the tumultuous relationship between the Trump administration and the media, Goldberg chose to accept the connection, anticipating that their discussion might revolve around pressing matters such as Ukraine or Iran. Two days later, he received a notification that he was added to a Signal group chat titled “Houthi PC small group.” The title suggested a focus on sensitive discussions regarding the Houthi movement in Yemen.

At 4:28 PM local time, the first message from “Michael Waltz” emerged, revealing the gravity of the conversation. The message detailed the establishment of a principals group for coordination on Houthis over the following 72 hours. Goldberg noted that a “tiger team” was being assembled at an executive level, a reference to high-ranking officials involved in national security.

Goldberg was stunned by the content of the message as the term “principals committee” typically encompasses top officials including secretaries of defense and state, along with the CIA director. His inclusion in such a confidential exchange was unprecedented in his career, given that journalists were traditionally excluded from these discussions. The message further requested the best point of contact from his team for coordination, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation.

Goldberg remarked on the unprecedented nature of his inclusion in a White House principals-committee meeting conducted via a commercial messaging platform. He had never encountered such a scenario before, underscoring the unusual and unexpected circumstances surrounding his involvement in these high-level discussions.

In summary, Jeffrey Goldberg’s receipt of a Signal message from Michael Waltz opened the door to a rare and sensitive glimpse into U.S. military strategy regarding the Houthis in Yemen. This unusual incident highlights the intricate connections between journalism and government, particularly in the context of national security, as well as the remarkable use of commercial messaging apps for official communications. Goldberg’s experience underscores the significant yet often opaque relationship between the media and the political sphere.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com