WorldPosted at: Oct 29 2026 2:25PM


Hegseth ousts Pentagon’s top planning officer as renewed US strikes on Iran loom

Washington, Oct 29 (UNI) The Pentagon’s top military planning officer is the latest official to have been ousted under US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as President Donald Trump weighs potential new strikes against Iran.
Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia, who served as director for strategy, plans and policy, known as J5, on the Joint Staff, is leaving the position, CNN quoted a spokesman for Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine as confirming.
Under Hegseth, at least 20 to 25 top generals, admirals and senior civilian leaders have been fired, forced to resign or pushed out of the Pentagon. Sylvia’s departure marks the latest in a series of senior military leadership changes under the Trump administration, as Hegseth has reshaped the Pentagon’s top ranks since taking office.
No reason was given for Sylvia’s departure, and it remains unclear who will succeed him. The Pentagon has not publicly detailed the circumstances surrounding his departure.
Hegseth announced a broader plan to reduce the number of generals and admirals by roughly 20 per cent, eliminating around 170 general officer and admiral positions through a combination of dismissals and reductions in authorised posts. The move is aimed at reshaping the department around what he has termed a “war fighter ethos”.
The J5 directorate plays a key role in developing military strategies, operational plans and policy recommendations for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It also contributes to military planning and provides advice on potential military engagements to senior national security officials.
Sylvia, a former commander of the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, was nominated for the position by former Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin towards the end of the Biden administration.
The Joint Staff thanked Sylvia and his family for his 32 years of military service and wished them well as they moved on to the next chapter of their lives. His biography had been removed from the Joint Chiefs of Staff website by Wednesday evening.
His departure comes at a critical moment for US military planning in the Middle East, as Trump considers his next steps regarding Iran amid heightened regional tensions.
There have already been several media reports that American forces in the region were prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from Trump.
Current and former US officials familiar with internal military discussions have indicated that preparations for possible military action are under way, although Trump has yet to make a final decision.
Some officials believe a decision could come before the end of the year, potentially after the US midterm elections. Others have cautioned that Trump has previously appeared inclined towards military action before ultimately backing away.
Trump has said that no attack would take place before Tuesday’s midterm elections, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the timing of any potential escalation.
Sylvia’s departure follows other high-profile changes at the Pentagon under Hegseth. The defence secretary has dismissed numerous senior officers, while Army Chief of Staff General Randy George was forced to retire in April, a day after Trump signalled plans to intensify military action against Iran.
Hegseth has also clashed with senior defence officials and intervened in military leadership and promotion decisions as part of a broader restructuring of the Pentagon.
Sylvia’s predecessor, Lieutenant General Joe McGee, left the J5 position in October 2025 under pressure from Hegseth. McGee had reportedly pushed back against the defence secretary and Caine on issues including Russia, Ukraine and US military operations in the Caribbean.
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