Hegseth Fires Pentagon's Top Military Planner as Trump Weighs New Iran Strikes

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from his role as head of strategy, plans and policy — the Joint Staff position known as the "J5" — with no reason publicly given and no immediate replacement announced. Sylvia, who served 32 years in the Army, is the second officer ousted from this specific post under Hegseth; his predecessor, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October. The firing was first reported by The Atlantic. Sylvia previously commanded the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, before joining the Joint Staff. He is the latest in nearly two dozen generals, admirals and senior military officials who have been dismissed, forced into retirement or otherwise pushed out under Hegseth — departures the Pentagon has largely declined to explain publicly. The timing is notable: Trump has repeatedly floated launching new military operations against Iran and has vowed to "finish the job" in the eight-month-old conflict, saying fresh strikes remain an option after next week's midterm elections. US officials have also warned Middle Eastern allies and regional partners to prepare for potential renewed military action. A third aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops are heading to the region. Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot and critic of Hegseth, warned last month that the pattern of dismissals amounts to a "purge" of experienced leaders that will "take a generation to recover from."