Bloomberg photo by Andrew Harrer

Washington Charges John Bolton

Washington, DC. He has been described in various terms, including being characterized by journalist Glenn Greenwald as “one of the most sociopathic warmongers ever to serve.” Greenwald made this remark about former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton during a recent broadcast, in which he discussed Bolton’s extensive record of advocating for military interventions and international conflicts.

From the vantage of the Middle East, the recent indictment of Bolton carries resonances far beyond Washington’s inner corridors. The charges, relating to the alleged improper transmission and retention of classified documents, underscore deeper questions about U.S. decision-making, accountability, and the risks of covert diplomacy reaching beyond the rule of law.

On October 16, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Bolton (age 76) on eight counts of transmitting national defense information (NDI) and ten counts of unlawfully retaining NDI. The indictment claims that Bolton used personal email and messaging accounts to send documents marked as “Top Secret,” including materials related to foreign adversaries, intelligence sources, and potential future attacks. Some of the classified documents he allegedly kept at home reportedly contained intelligence about adversarial leaders and the methods used to collect information.

If convicted, Bolton could face up to 10 years in prison for each count. U.S. officials framed the prosecution as a demonstration that “no one is above the law,” especially when national security is at stake.

For many in the Middle East, the Bolton case offers a moment of ironic reflection. Bolton, a longtime proponent of violent U.S. foreign policy and hawkish interventionism (notably in the Middle East), had often operated in realms of secrecy and extraordinary authority. His indictment now reveals potential internal contradictions in how the U.S. balances secrecy, oversight, and power.

In capitals across the Middle East, many note that this episode could weaken America’s moral standing when it lectures others about transparency, accountability, or rule of law. A country that has launched covert policies and drone strikes may be seen as vulnerable to the same misuses of classified power. Some strategists in the region suggest this case could be a warning: if a former high official is vulnerable, then current diplomats and officials may be cautious in engaging in tightly secret negotiations with Washington. The perception may strengthen that U.S. policy is less stable or more legally constrained than assumed.

Media across Arab and Persian channels have picked up the story not only as a U.S. legal matter, but as fodder in broader debates on Western hypocrisy and double standards. Commentators contrast the vigorous pursuit of Bolton with the more lenient treatment often given to lower-ranking officials elsewhere, especially outside U.S. jurisdictions.

Whether this prosecution establishes clear institutional limits on power, or turns into a selective spectacle, will be closely watched by legal and political elites across the Middle East.

In sum, while Bolton’s indictment is ostensibly a domestic American affair, its ripples extend across the Middle East. For regional observers, it’s not merely about one man’s alleged misconduct. It is a mirror held up to U.S. power, secrecy, and accountability, reminding us that even hegemonic states must reckon with the dangers of shadow diplomacy.

In the past, Bolton was often first in line to demand the harshest punishments, even the gallows, for those accused of leaking classified information. He famously stated that Edward Snowden should “swing from an oak tree.” Now that he stands indicted for a similar offense, many are wondering whether he’ll be quite as enthusiastic about his own prosecution.