US defense secretary urgently summons generals without explanation

Tengrinews.kz – U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered an emergency gathering of hundreds of generals and admirals next week, according to the Washington Post.

According to the publication, invitations were sent to nearly all senior commanders worldwide, causing concern and raising security questions among parts of the military leadership. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed only that Hegseth would address senior military officials but provided no further details.

The Washington Post notes that the order comes amid a series of high-profile dismissals within the Department of Defense and Hegseth’s plans to reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20% and consolidate command structures.

Sources told the newspaper that everyone holding the rank of brigadier general and above, including those with command roles in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific region, had been invited.

Several insiders emphasized that such a broad gathering of top commanders is extremely rare.

The WP also reports that the administration is preparing a new national defense strategy focused on homeland security, and that this document may become a central topic of the meeting.

Previously, Hegseth had ordered a reduction of about 100 general and admiral positions and initiated a rebranding of the Pentagon as the "Department of War."