Hegseth is shaking up the Pentagon as the US wages war - but at what cost?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is overseeing a significant leadership shake-up at the Pentagon, leading to the resignation of high-ranking officials like Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. Critics argue these changes, coupled with ongoing military commitments in the Gulf, threaten institutional stability and national security.
Why it matters
The internal turmoil at the Pentagon raises concerns about the operational readiness of the US military and the potential erosion of traditional defense management structures during a period of global geopolitical tension.
Image source, Getty Images By Tom Bateman State department correspondent, Washington Published 33 minutes ago The United States military is at the centre of a fight on two fronts.
First is President Donald Trump's attempt to prise the Strait of Hormuz from Iran's grip; the latest phase of his stalemated war in the Gulf which is drawing in US forces and equipment from around the globe.
The second is a culture war at home in which Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is conducting a promised shake-up at the Pentagon, sparking bitter recriminations and a string of departures including the top civilian in charge of the US Army last week.
The upheaval has triggered questions that could shape the legacy of Trump's second term. Is the US military being stretched to a point that could risk global security? And are these shifts leaving America's extraordinary global network of alliances vulnerable?
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in