U.S. Officials’ Texts Reveal Disdain for European Allies Amid Yemen Strikes Planning
Text messages between Vice-President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reveal a strong disdain for European countries perceived as ‘freeloading’ off U.S. military actions in Yemen. Vance criticized the need to support Europe once again, while Hegseth echoed similar sentiments. These discussions emerged during planning for strikes against Houthi militants that have been threatening shipping routes. The exchanges reflect underlying tensions in U.S.-European relations regarding military cooperation.
Recent revelations from text messages exchanged between Vice-President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicate a significant disdain for Europe among U.S. officials regarding military actions in Yemen. In these messages, the officials expressed concerns that European allies were “freeloading” on American efforts to eliminate Houthi militants. Vance remarked, “I just hate bailing Europe out again,” while advocating for actions to mitigate risks to Saudi oil facilities.
Hegseth responded in a similar vein, stating, “VP: I fully share your loathing of European freeloading. It’s PATHETIC.” These messages were part of a larger exchange that surfaced in an Atlantic magazine article, highlighting the dynamic of military planning among top Trump administration officials. This communication occurred while they were strategizing on strikes against the Houthis, a militia that has disrupted shipping routes in the Red Sea for over a year.
The operational decisions to proceed with the attacks soon followed, indicating that the sentiments shared in these texts may have influenced U.S. military action. American leaders displayed a palpable frustration towards the perceived reliance of European nations on U.S. military support, signaling a broader tension in transatlantic relations during the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
The exposed text messages between U.S. officials underscore a notable frustration regarding European nations’ perceived dependency on American military efforts against Houthi militants in Yemen. The disdain expressed by Vice-President Vance and Defense Secretary Hegseth illustrates a tension that could have implications for future U.S.-European military collaboration. As military strategies progress, such sentiments may shape both decision-making processes and international diplomatic relations.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
