A major security breach involving U.S. officials discussing military strikes in Yemen has raised alarms over intelligence protocols and accountability. The White House confirmed on Monday that Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and other officials detailed plans to target Houthi rebels.
President Donald Trump announced the March 15 strikes, but Goldberg revealed he had hours of advance notice after receiving sensitive information via the app. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes acknowledged the breach, stating the chat logs appeared authentic and that an investigation was underway to determine how an external number was included.
According to Goldberg, Hegseth shared specifics such as target locations, weapon deployments, and attack timing, with the first detonations occurring as predicted in Yemen. Though the journalist did not disclose details publicly beforehand, the leak drew sharp bipartisan criticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it "one of the most stunning breaches of military intelligence," while Senator Jack Reed condemned the "carelessness" of Trump’s cabinet.
Hegseth, who previously worked as a Fox News host, denied sharing "war plans" and shifted blame to Goldberg during a combative press briefing. The incident has also reignited debates about using commercial apps like Signal for classified communications, with critics highlighting risks to operational security.
The fallout underscores broader concerns for Asia-Pacific stability, as Yemen’s strategic location near key shipping lanes impacts regional trade and security. Analysts suggest such leaks could complicate U.S. efforts to manage tensions in conflict zones, affecting investor confidence and diplomatic relations.
