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The United States (US) has removed its top military planner from a key Pentagon role as President Donald Trump weighs new strikes against Iran, the Atlantic reported on Wednesday.
Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia was removed this week as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the magazine reported, citing unidentified US defence officials.
The Atlantic said no reason was given for Sylvia’s removal, and no replacement has been named. AFP has contacted the Pentagon for comment. The reported dismissal comes following a series of high-profile departures from the US military since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said last month that the administration had reduced the number of generals and admirals by 20 per cent. He described the cuts as an effort to improve “accountability”.
Hegseth suggested the changes targeted officers who did not support his push to focus the military on war-fighting rather than what he called the “woke” policies of previous administrations. He described the reductions as an “accomplishment”.
Sylvia’s removal comes as Trump is reportedly considering renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
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“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said last week, referring to US-Israeli attacks on Tehran in February that triggered the war.
However, he gave no indication of when further strikes might take place. The United States and Iran have not carried out major attacks on land-based targets since early September. Instead, both sides have settled into a pattern of strikes on commercial ships.
Sylvia previously led the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, known for its air-assault operations. He also commanded a unit in Iraq.
