The Pentagon is going through one of the most complicated periods in recent years: the military leadership of the United States is becoming increasingly thin, the war with Iran is rapidly consuming weapons and resources, and the ability to simultaneously respond to threats in other regions is starting to raise concerns within the military.
At the same time, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is emerging from this period with even greater control over the institution.
Six months into the war with Iran, the Pentagon has fewer senior leaders, lower stocks of some essential weapons, and is communicating less with the press, according to an analysis by Axios.
Departed Generals, Blocked Promotions
The most recent episode is the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll after months of conflicts with Hegseth regarding the leadership and modernization of ground forces. Driscoll's departure follows the dismissal of General Randy George, leaving the US Army without permanent civilian and military leadership in the midst of the war with Iran.
However, the issue is much broader. Hegseth has dismissed or forced the departure of senior officers from almost all branches of the armed forces, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the most senior admiral of the Navy, and the Chief of Staff of the Army.
According to The Washington Post, Hegseth has removed at least two dozen high-ranking officers during his tenure. Among the military leaders Hegseth found in office when he arrived at the Pentagon, only those of the Marine Corps and Space Force remain in their positions.
Moreover, as per the New York Times, Hegseth has blocked at least 45 officers from promotion lists this year after they were selected by peer review boards. More than half of them were women or officers of color. The publication notes that Hegseth's interventions appear to violate the rules of a promotion system designed to be apolitical and merit-based.
NBC News reported on Tuesday that additional promotions have been blocked in recent weeks, including those of over ten officers who are women, Hispanic, or officers of color.
Generals Warn That War with Iran Is Consuming Resources Needed in Other Regions
All of this is happening at a time when the war with Iran is putting increasing pressure on American military capabilities.
American commanders responsible for Europe, the Pacific, and Latin America, as well as the leadership of the Navy, have officially opposed the extension of force deployments for the war with Iran, according to The Washington Post.
Their warning is significant: maintaining troops and equipment for extended periods in the Middle East diminishes the United States' ability to respond to threats from other parts of the world.
The situation of the Navy is one of the clearest examples.
Its top admiral reportedly informed Hegseth that only about a quarter of American destroyers are currently ready for deployment.
Furthermore, the only American aircraft carrier normally dedicated to the Pacific has been redirected to the Middle East.
This means that the war with Iran is not only consuming resources intended for this region. It is beginning to affect the American military posture towards China as well.
65% of Patriot Interceptors Stock Consumed
According to an estimate by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), cited by Associated Press, the war with Iran has already consumed 65% of the American stock of Patriot interceptors – approximately 1,500 out of a total of 2,330.
The consequences go beyond the Middle East. Lower stocks put pressure on deliveries to NATO allies and force the Pentagon to protect some weapons that would be crucial in a potential conflict with China.
However, the Pentagon refutes claims that the US military is facing ammunition shortages. Spokesperson Sean Parnell asserts that reports of shortages are "false" and that the United States still possesses a vast and ready arsenal for use.
He also dismisses the notion of a leadership crisis in the Pentagon. "The premise that the Department is in disarray is completely unfounded and is an insult to every dedicated professional and service member in this building who comes to work every day to defend this country," Parnell told Axios.
Nearly Four Months Without a Press Conference
In parallel with the changes in military leadership, the Pentagon has become much less transparent. The Department of Defense has not held a formal press conference since May 5, which means nearly four months without an official briefing during a war.
The situation contrasts with the earlier promise by Parnell that briefings would become routine, as part of what the administration presented as "the most transparent Department of Defense in history."
The Washington Post also reported that the Pentagon has quietly hired several military influencers close to the MAGA movement into civilian positions, while they continued to publicly promote Hegseth's agenda and attack his critics.
Crisis Makes Hegseth Stronger
The paradox is that all these upheavals have not weakened Pete Hegseth's position. On the contrary.
The Pentagon chief has even survived the "Signalgate" scandal, which erupted after it was revealed that high-ranking officials of the Trump administration discussed details about American attacks in Yemen on Signal, in a group where the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic had been mistakenly added. The departure of potential rivals and the replacement of a significant portion of the military leadership have allowed him to consolidate his control over the institution.
Donald Trump continues to support him. And while the Pentagon tries to manage the war with Iran, the pressure on military stocks, and the leadership gaps simultaneously, the American president is urging Congress to allocate a record defense budget to Hegseth: $1.5 trillion.
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