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Newscast

A Journalist Has Entered The Top Secret Military Chat

Mar 25, 2025
Caitríona Perry, BBC chief presenter in Washington, and Celeste Wallander, a former Pentagon official, delve into a surprising incident where a journalist stumbled into a top-secret military chat. They explore the implications of using secure platforms like Signal for sensitive discussions, contrasting it with traditional protocols. The conversation touches on U.S. foreign policy and ongoing conflicts affecting shipping routes, while humorously addressing communication styles, including the role of emojis in conveying messages during high-stakes scenarios.
37:28

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The accidental inclusion of a journalist in a military chat raises significant concerns about national security protocols and classified information handling.
  • The incident has sparked a broader debate about the implications of U.S. military engagement in the Middle East and maritime security.

Deep dives

Accidental Inclusion in Sensitive Chat

A journalist from The Atlantic was inadvertently added to a sensitive Signal messaging chat involving senior members of the Trump administration, where discussions centered on a military attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen. This group included significant figures such as Michael Waltz and Steve Witkoff, who engaged in dialogues that allegedly disclosed operational details concerning the planned strike. Many are questioning the appropriateness of discussing highly classified matters over a supposedly secure messaging platform like Signal. The incident has raised concerns about national security protocols, particularly surrounding the accidental involvement of a journalist in such serious discussions.

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