U.S. Officials’ Texts Show Disdain for European Allies Amid Yemen Strikes Planning
Text messages between Vice-President J.D. Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reveal disdain for European allies, labeled as ‘freeloaders’ during discussions on military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. Vance expressed frustration over supporting Europe, while Hegseth echoed this sentiment. These texts were shared with Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, leading up to military actions against the Houthi militants soon after.
Recent text messages between Vice-President J.D. Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reveal a notable disdain for European allies. The correspondence, part of an Atlantic magazine exposé, expresses Vance’s concerns regarding European nations perceived as “freeloading” on U.S. military efforts targeting Houthi militants in Yemen.
In one message, Vice-President Vance articulated his frustrations, stating, “I just hate bailing Europe out again”, while emphasizing the need to consider preventative measures for Saudi oil facilities. Secretary Hegseth echoed this sentiment, declaring, “It’s PATHETIC” and affirming his shared disdain for Europe’s reliance on U.S. intervention.
These communications emerged when Jeffrey Goldberg, the Atlantic’s editor, was inadvertently included in a text group of key Trump administration officials. The context of the conversation centered on strategies for military action against the Houthis, a group significantly impacting maritime activities in the Red Sea for over a year. Subsequently, U.S. strikes were executed shortly after these messages.
In summary, the communicated sentiments between Vice-President Vance and Defence Secretary Hegseth underscore a significant frustration towards European allies regarding military support. Their views reflect a broader critique of perceived dependence on U.S. military actions in conflicts such as the ongoing situation in Yemen. Following these discussions, military actions were promptly undertaken against the Houthis.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
