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Hegseth Fires Pentagon’s Top War Planner

Over two dozen high-ranking generals and admirals have been dismissed or have quit since Hegseth was named war secretary

October 30, 2026, https://thecradle.co/articles/hegseth-fires-pentagons-top-war-planner-amid-preparations-to-reignite-war-on-iran

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ousted Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, who was responsible for drafting military options for war against Iran, The Atlantic reported on 28 October.

Sylvia is the second officer dismissed from the Joint Staff’s top strategy and planning post this year, and he was removed without explanation, with no replacement named.

The general’s removal marks at least the 26th dismissal of a general or admiral since Hegseth assumed office in January 2025, and comes as US President Donald Trump weighs renewed escalation against Iran once the US midterm elections conclude on 3 November.

“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump told supporters at a rally last week, referring to the name given to the US-Israeli joint assault on Iran launched in February, “Or they’ll agree.”

Washington has since warned its Gulf allies to expect a “short, intense” attack on Iran after the midterms, passing the message through diplomatic and military channels, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on 28 October, citing people briefed on the exchanges.

US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is directing the war, has drawn up options ranging from a brief wave of strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites to a prolonged campaign designed to push Iran’s economy toward collapse and force Tehran into negotiations.

Sylvia’s ouster is the latest in a sweeping campaign to purge the US military’s command structure of officers on the basis of political loyalty to Trump and his administration rather than merit.

Among those removed was Defense Intelligence Agency director Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, who was fired after his agency reportedly assessed that the June 2025 US strikes had only delayed Iran’s nuclear program, contradicting Trump’s own claims of absolute success.

Others have reportedly been pushed out over past ties to diversity policies that Hegseth dismisses as “woke,” a label he has used to justify the cuts.

Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot, has called the firings a “purge” that will take the military years to recover from.

November 3, 2026 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA