Jeffrey Goldberg, The ‍Atlantic, and a Yemen war Crime

Did Jeffrey Goldberg, editor⁤ in chief of The Atlantic, prioritize a ‍scoop⁢ over preventing a potential war crime? Critics are raising questions about Goldberg’s actions after he learned of an impending U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen.

On March 15, Goldberg reportedly had advance knowledge of a⁢ U.S. ⁣military operation. The U.S. subsequently bombed Yemen,⁢ an act some observers are calling a war crime.⁢ The first strike killed a “Target Terrorist” as he entered his girlfriend’s building, resulting in⁤ the building’s collapse and multiple deaths.

Rather ‍of sounding an alarm, Goldberg, a former advocate ⁣for the Iraq war and⁤ its weapons-of-mass-destruction⁣ claims, allegedly worried about national security. Critics argue ‍he had a ⁤duty to disrupt the attack,⁤ given the potential for civilian casualties and the lack of imminent ⁤threat.

Following the attack, Goldberg’s media appearances and Atlantic ⁤ coverage did ‍not connect the bombings to the Houthis’ stated aim⁢ of thwarting the U.S. and Israeli actions in Gaza. Some observers found this‍ omission troubling.

One month later, Goldberg was at the White House, where the president reportedly congratulated him for breaking a “big story.”

The debate ‍raises⁤ questions about the role of journalists when they have knowledge of potential government misconduct. ‍Is their primary duty to report, or do ⁤they have a moral obligation to intervene, especially when lives are‍ at stake?