Defense Secretary 'Proud' of Strikes, Video Classified 'Top Secret,' Obviously
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reportedly 'proud' of controversial Caribbean boat strikes, yet claims the full video is 'top secret.' This isn’t a new playbook. From 'weapons of mass destruction' in Iraq to the 'collateral damage' videos from Afghanistan, transparency is consistently the first casualty when military actions face scrutiny. The Pentagon's consistent refusal to declassify
footage of incidents under public question (see: countless drone strikes, prison abuses) reveals a pattern: maintain public support through jingoistic rhetoric, then hide the messy details. One might wonder what exactly 'national security' is protecting—the nation, or the careers of those ordering the strikes?