Pentagon fires top army strategist over alleged leaks

· Security · United States

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, a senior military planner serving as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, over accusations that he disclosed classified information to the public, officials said. The Pentagon said it referred the leak case to the Justice Department for a criminal investigation. The Atlantic first reported the dismissal. Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of US Army Europe, accused Hegseth of "getting rid of people who may have the courage to push back", as the administration appears to prepare for possible large-scale strikes on Iran.

Why it matters：Purges of senior officers during a possible military escalation raise questions about civil-military trust and the continuity of US military planning.

Key points

  • Lt Gen Brett Sylvia headed strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Staff.
  • The Pentagon referred the leak case to the Justice Department.
  • Retired Lt Gen Ben Hodges criticised the dismissal.

Sources (original reporting)

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