Hegseth fires Pentagon's top military planner even as Trump considers new Iran strikes
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon's top military planner, Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, amid ongoing tensions and potential US military strikes against Iran. This is the second such firing in the department, occurring as the Trump administration considers escalating operations in the region.
Why it matters
The removal of high-level military planners during a period of active conflict suggests significant shifts in US defense strategy and internal administration dynamics.
Washington Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon's top military planner, a defence official said on Wednesday (October 29, 2026), the latest in a series of generals to be ousted and one that comes even as President Donald Trump is weighing renewed strikes on Iran in the eight-month-long war. Army Lt Gen Brett Sylvia was removed as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is the second general to be ousted from the post, known in military circles as the “J5”, under Mr. Hegseth. His predecessor, Lt Gen Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. U.S. warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes, retaliation after elections, say sources U.S. warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes, retaliation after elections, say sources The U.S.
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