Secrets of a Signal Chat: U.S. Military's Digital Coordination Exposed

The Atlantic revealed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of Signal to coordinate an offensive in Yemen, raising alarms over potential breaches of protocol. The chat sent to senior advisers and The Atlantic's editor included military operation timings, sparking debate over classification of such information.

In a surprising revelation, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly disclosed sensitive military operation details over Signal, raising questions about information security and protocol adherence. The Atlantic published screenshots showing Hegseth coordinating an offensive against Houthi militants, igniting controversy over the sharing of such details outside classified channels.

President Trump's administration insists no classified information was exchanged, a claim that perplexes many former officials. The Signal chat, although lacking precise target names or locations, outlined operational timelines and sequences, escalating concerns about the handling of wartime actions and national security communications.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe and others downplayed the incident, stating that local partners were informed of impending strikes. However, the lack of direct responses from key defense officials fuels a debate over the nature of secretive communications and the discretion used in classifying military data.

(With inputs from agencies.)