Pentagon commanders dissent over Hegseth's Middle East troop strategy

Senior U.S. military commanders have formally expressed dissent against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the sustainability of maintaining over 50,000 troops in the Middle East. The heads of the European, Indo-Pacific, and Southern Commands, along with the Chief of Naval Operations, recorded their non-concurrence in the classified Secretary of Defense Orders Book.

Commanders warned that the extended deployment risks gutting U.S. military readiness in other regions and at home. Specific concerns were raised regarding depleted stocks of Patriot, THAAD, and Tomahawk missiles, as well as the depletion of approximately one-quarter of the MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet.

Internal tensions at the Pentagon have been further highlighted by the resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll following reported conflicts with Hegseth. Additionally, reports indicate that some military personnel have privately used the nickname “No Tab Pete” to refer to the Secretary, referencing the absence of elite military skill tabs on his uniform.