Hegseth is shaking up the Pentagon as the US wages war - but at what cost?

September 8, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is conducting a significant overhaul of the Pentagon while the US military simultaneously fights a stalemated war with Iran in the Gulf region. His aggressive reforms have led to numerous high-level departures, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who resigned after clashing with Hegseth over the pace of military modernization efforts, particularly regarding drone integration lessons from Ukraine. Critics, including former Trump officials and Republican senators, warn that removing dozens of top military leaders during active conflict is undermining readiness and creating dangerous leadership vacuums.

Who is affected

The US military and its service members
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll (resigned)
Top uniformed officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force (removed or sidelined)
At least two dozen generals, admirals, and civilian defense leaders (removed)
Republican Senator Thom Tillis
H.R. McMaster (former Trump National Security Adviser)
US forces deployed to the Gulf conflict with Iran
America's global alliance network

What action is being taken

The US military is waging war in the Gulf, attempting to control the Strait of Hormuz from Iran
Hegseth is conducting a shake-up at the Pentagon, removing or sidelining top military leadership
Hegseth is eliminating diversity programs, banning beards, and changing rules of engagement
US forces and equipment are being drawn from around the globe for the Gulf conflict

Why it matters

This matters because the US military faces simultaneous challenges on two fronts during a critical period. The leadership upheaval is occurring while American forces are actively engaged in a stalemated war with Iran, raising concerns about military readiness and effectiveness. The departure of leaders advocating for modernization—particularly integrating lessons from Ukraine about drones and 21st-century warfare—could leave the military ill-prepared for evolving threats. The removal of experienced leadership creates uncertainty that affects the entire force and potentially weakens America's global alliance network, with critics warning these changes could compromise global security.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC