Additional Coverage:
- Hegseth to look into ‘what went wrong’ in Afghanistan and pledges accountability, slams diversity motto (foxnews.com)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed Pentagon staff Friday, linking events in Afghanistan, the Hamas attack on Israel, and the war in Ukraine to a perceived “American weakness.” He stressed the need to restore deterrence.
Hegseth outlined his three priorities: revitalizing the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military by aligning capabilities with threats, and bolstering national defense. He likened his approach to the “broken windows” policing theory, emphasizing the importance of addressing even minor issues within the military to prevent larger problems.
Hegseth pledged to examine the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, not for punitive reasons, but to learn from past mistakes and ensure accountability.
He also challenged the notion of diversity as strength, arguing that unity of purpose is the military’s true strength, regardless of background or identity. Hegseth committed to treating everyone within the department with fairness and respect, judging individuals based on merit, teamwork, and dedication to the mission.