The Washington Post article reveals significant tensions within the Defense Department over Secretary Pete Hegseth's planned military strategy overhaul. According to eight current and former officials cited by WP, senior military officers are expressing rare public concern about the administration's direction for America's armed forces.

Multiple high-ranking military leaders have voiced serious objections to the forthcoming National Defense Strategy, with Gen Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, among those raising concerns.

According to WP, this level of dissent is highly unusual, while disagreement during strategy drafting is normal, both the number of concerned officials and the intensity of their criticism stand out.

The Post notes that Gen Caine personally conveyed his reservations to senior Pentagon leadership, including Hegseth and policy chief Elbridge Colby. One source told the Post that Caine provided "very frank feedback" and worked hard to keep the strategy focused on preparing for potential conflict with China.

A fundamental shift in priorities

According to WP sources who viewed the classified document, the new strategy represents a dramatic departure from decades of American defense policy. The plan reportedly centers military efforts on perceived domestic threats while scaling back the traditional focus on maintaining global alliances and forward-deployed forces.

The new strategy narrows America's China competition to primarily focus on Taiwan defense scenarios, rather than addressing broader global competition with Beijing. This approach troubles military leaders who, according to the Post, believe China's rapid military expansion demands a more comprehensive response.

The WP documents a striking shift toward domestic military missions under the current administration, where Pentagon forces have been deployed for border security, drug interdiction in the Caribbean, and supporting immigration enforcement operations in American cities.

Most recently, troops were ordered to Portland, Oregon, with authorization to use "full force" while protecting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Approximately 200 Oregon National Guard members are being federalized for this mission, and several of these domestic deployments face legal challenges.

Europe takes a back seat

The WP reports that Hegseth and his policy team have signaled plans to withdraw some forces from Europe and consolidate military commands, a move that concerns US allies, particularly given Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and recent NATO airspace violations. This represents a significant break from the longstanding Pentagon view that American security is best served through robust overseas alliances.

Major personnel changes underway

According to the WP, Hegseth is conducting a sweeping reorganization of military leadership. He has already fired high-profile officers, including former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Charles Q Brown Jr and Chief of Naval Operations Adm Lisa Franchetti. Plans call for reducing the approximately 800 generals and admirals by 20 percent, with the Post noting that women have been disproportionately affected by these dismissals.

High-stakes meeting ahead

US President Donald Trump will attend an unusual summit of military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Tuesday, where Hegseth is expected to address military standards and "warrior ethos." According to the Post's sources, uniformed leaders are concerned the gathering could result in mass firings or dramatic restructuring of the military's command hierarchy.

Sources speaking to the WP described growing frustration with what they consider a narrow and potentially ineffective approach. Critics within the military worry the strategy may prove irrelevant given the president's highly personal and sometimes contradictory foreign policy decisions.

The WP notes that the document's tone is also unusually partisan, echoing Hegseth's rhetoric about the Biden administration causing military decline. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to comment on the classified document's specifics, telling the Post only that the strategy development process is "still ongoing" and focused on an "America First, Peace Through Strength agenda."