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Welcome back to this bi-weekly installment of What Just Happened?!, a semi-comical digest of the most important news from the UK, US and the World. Look out for us every now and again, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The World
Dutch Courage
Philippine officials arrested Duterte (the former President) as he disembarked a plane in the capital city of Manilla on March 11th before being pretty well immediately flown to the Netherlands. Duterte’s crimes include urging the police, and others, to commit extra-judicial killings. The “official” number puts those killed, without trial and in many cases in virtue of suspicion alone, at 6,000. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands, reckons that this number might be more accurately and truly in the range of the tens of thousands. Duterte is currently in the ICC’s custody. In addition to allegedly also participating in some extra-judicial killings himself, there’s also this video of Duterte admitting to having killed three people.
Off Planet
No Longer Floating in a Tin Can
Following up on a story we mentioned last December (see WJH December 6th: Floating in a Tin Can) the Astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since last June have safely returned to Earth! The crew returned on a SpaceX Dragon craft, a variant of crew transport that has visited the ISS over a dozen times in recent years.
Here’s an excellent excerpt from NASA on their successful return and all of the incredibly cool stuff they were able to get done while they were up there:
“The American crew members conducted more than 150 unique scientific experiments and technology demonstrations between them, with over 900 hours of research. This research included investigations on plant growth and quality, as well as the potential of stem cell technology to address blood diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. They also tested lighting systems to help astronauts maintain circadian rhythms, loaded the first wooden satellite for deployment, and took samples from the space station’s exterior to study whether microorganisms can survive in space.”
source: Nasa.gov
The US
A Potted History of National Security Buffoonery
Even by 2025’s standards the story breaking this week regarding the Signal chat to plan the bombing of Yemen to which the Editor in Chief of the Atlantic was inadvertently invited (Jeffrey Goldberg) is somewhat shocking. Yet it isn’t really anything new, either by US or World standards (although this probably makes it more idiotic) and the context of partisan response of hypocrisy and inaction bears some attention. So here’s a short history of similar screw-ups:
John Deutch – 1996
CIA Director John Deutch stored classified intelligence documents on his home PC, which was connected to the internet. The information included top-secret CIA assessments and operational plans. The whole affair was discovered after he left office and Deutch agreed to a plea deal for mishandling classified material.
The Democrats: largely ignored or downplayed the case, arguing there was no evidence of intentional espionage. President Clinton eventually pardoned Deutch.
The Republicans: criticised the lack of accountability, and predictably, the pardon, whilst arguing that Republican officials would have faced more harsh punishment.
Sandy Berger – 2003
The former National Security Advisor removed several top-secret documents, relating to the pre-9/11 terrorist threats, from the National Archives in advance of the 9/11 Commission hearings. Berger ultimately pled guilty and was fined and lost his security clearance but avoided jail time.
The Democrats: framed the incident as a ‘regrettable mistake’.
The Republicans: accused Berger of deliberately destroying crucial evidence that may have implicated the Clinton administration in 9/11 intelligence failings.
David Petraeus – 2012
Whilst acting as CIA Director, Petraeus kept classified intelligence assessments and military strategy documentation at home… then shared them with his biographer… with whom he was having an affair. It all slipped out to the FBI during an unrelated investigation, culminating in his resignation, a fine, and a misdemeanor.
The Democrats: put some distance between themselves and Petraeus but emphasised his impressive military service.
The Republicans: some defended him, whilst others condemned him as ‘reckless’.
Hilary Clinton – 2015
As Secretary of State, Clinton used a private email server instead of a government-secured server for conducting official business. Some emails were found to have contained classified information, but nothing leaked. The FBI investigation concluded there was no criminal intent, but it had been ‘extremely careless’.
The Democrats: Dismissed the issue as ‘overblown’ and politically motivated.
The Republicans: Made it the centre of the 2016 presidential election campaign and called to ‘Lock her Up’.
Donald Trump – 2021
After his first presidency, Trump retained boxes full of classified documents, allegedly in the toilet of Mar-a-Lago. The National Archives repeatedly requested that they be returned, leading to an FBI raid in 2022. Trump was eventually indicted, and legal proceedings are ongoing, but likely stalled.
The Democrats: argued Trump’s actions were reckless and warranted prosecution.
The Republicans: dismissed the case as politically motivated.
Joe Biden – 2023
Classified documents from Biden’s term as Vice President were found in his private office and garage. Reportedly they included classified briefings and intelligence on foreign policy. His legal team voluntarily reported the findings and cooperated with their return.
The Democrats: argued that Biden’s cooperation made this case very different from Trump’s (after all they were in the garage not the toilet) and it was a mistake rather than deliberate misconduct.
The Republicans: accused the Democrats of hypocrisy and that Biden should face the same legal prosecution as Trump.
So… what’s the point? Well mainly that politicians are absolutely terrible at doing the basic stuff when it comes to keeping things secret, and seemingly incapable of learning. Whilst every example comes with a partisan perspective. There will probably be much outrage and shouting at this latest cock-up and then likely little will happen until we all get angry at the next one.
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