One of the best, most moving features that I've read this year. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialGreg Jaffe
@gregjaffe.bsky.social
New York Times reporter Email me at [email protected]
@gregjaffe.bsky.social
@johnismay.bsky.socialReposted by @gregjaffe.bsky.socialA Centcom conference to discuss ways to reduce civilian harm in their operations comes shortly after a member of the HASC intervened to stop an Army official from reassigning all remaining staff working on the problem. w/ @malachy.bsky.social & @trbrtc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/10/01/u...
nytimes.comMilitary Leaders Will Examine Ways to Limit Civilian Deaths in WarU.S. Central Command will hold a daylong conference at its Tampa headquarters after seven months of war in Iran.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has survived in office by projecting an image of strength. But he has taken some big hits of late -- especially on the Hill. By many measures he's never been weaker.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/u...
nytimes.comHegseth Talks Tough as Republican Doubts About His Leadership Grow (Gift Article)Pete Hegseth has held onto his job by projecting a tough guy image, but his relationship with Republican lawmakers has never been worse.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialI’ve always enjoyed the BBC’s Desert Island Discs, which does a version with music. Mostly with British people I’ve never heard of.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialA few paragraphs on Gen. Dan Caine's difficult position. From his National Defense University commencement speech.
Free link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/u...
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialHegseth has ushered the country's culture wars into the Pentagon. The result: Turmoil at a time the military cannot afford it. My effort to take stock of what it all means. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/u...
nytimes.comTrying to Rid the Pentagon of Culture Wars, Hegseth Has Created His Own (Gift Article)Persistent distractions are feeding a climate of mistrust as the U.S. military faces a series of wartime issues, including shortfalls of missile interceptors.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialGripping story on the search for a disposable camera and the photos it took from inside twin towers on 9/11. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/n... www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/n...
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialThe battle to CD Donahue from Pete Hegseth's purge spanned the Pentagon, Congress and the White House. It's a window into Donahue's accomplishments and but also Hegseth's grievances and insecurities. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/u...
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialInside the Battle to Save One Pioneering General From Hegseth’s Purge with Adam Entous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/u...
@haleaziz.bsky.socialReposted by @gregjaffe.bsky.socialSCOOP: An ICE whistleblower report obtained by the NYT said ICE was cutting corners, violating the law and fast-tracking unqualified, “improperly vetted” candidates into ICE’s ranks, part of a dangerous move that exposed the agency to “grave national security risks.”
nytimes.comICE Skipped Basic Checks in Rush for Recruits, Whistle-Blower SaysAn official who oversaw the vetting of ICE recruits cited an “unprecedented lowering of standards” amid a hiring surge.
@bencollins.bsky.socialReposted by @gregjaffe.bsky.socialWhat Pablo Torre did was ridiculously impressive. Uncovered a conspiracy between rich guys, withstood a propaganda campaign by one of the richest guys in the world with a pretty good reputation, didn't buckle or panic, and just kept reporting. That's some Pulitzerin' right there.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialHegseth has purged at least 10 percent of the military’s top brass and shows no signs of slowing.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/u...
nytimes.comHegseth Targets 7 More Officers as His Frustrated Army Secretary Quits (Gift Article)The defense secretary’s cuts, which have hit about 10 percent of the military’s top officers, are dividing the Pentagon, officials said.
@gregjaffe.bsky.social
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialA series of firings and feuds, initiated by Sec. Hegseth, has left the Army rudderless at a dangerous moment for U.S. troops in Iran and a key moment in the war in Ukraine.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/u...
nytimes.comHegseth’s Purge of Top Generals Leaves the Army Rudderless (Gift Article)The leadership vacuum comes as the Army is trying to adapt to a new kind of war dominated by deadly drones.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialHegseth Is Pressed to Clarify Lawyer’s Role in Promotion Decisions. (A folo on our earlier story about Admiral Caudle's promotion to CNO).
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/u...
nytimes.comHegseth Is Pressed to Clarify Lawyer’s Role in Promotion Decisions (Gift Article)Representative Jason Crow asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain statements about his special adviser’s influence following a New York Times report.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialHegseth’s blocking of promotions for high-ranking women in the military has contributed to the lowest percentage of such nominations for women in at least 25 years, according to a NYT analysis.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/u...
nytimes.comUnder Hegseth, Women’s Share of Top Military Promotions Plunged This YearThe percentage of high-ranking officer nominations going to women is currently at its lowest level in over two decades.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialInside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate
"...a humiliation ritual," says Priya Rashid, the lawyer who had handled most of them.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...
nytimes.comInside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate (Gift Article)The Pentagon is relying on closed-door hearings to kick out transgender service members. An Army Reserve lawyer is one of the few who have seen how they really work.
@gregjaffe.bsky.social"The Pentagon has treated the trans separation board hearings with levels of security and silence usually reserved for state secrets... In some cases, service members’ spouses and even the service members themselves are kept out." w/ Dave Philipps
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...
nytimes.comInside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate (Gift Article)The Pentagon is relying on closed-door hearings to kick out transgender service members. An Army Reserve lawyer is one of the few who have seen how they really work.
@gregjaffe.bsky.social"I’ve had a hand in killing around six people. Maybe seven. I don’t know if one man bled out on the side of the road or was taken to a doctor. I think about him often...
The killing wasn’t detached; it felt deeply personal."
@tmgneff.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/w...
nytimes.comWhy I Sought Out a Taliban Commander I Had FoughtFirst as a Marine and then as a journalist, I spent years tied to Afghanistan. I returned one last time to speak to a former enemy in search of answers, and perhaps closure.
@gregjaffe.bsky.socialFor the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year.
www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/u...
nytimes.comOpportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More Promotions (Gift Article)For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year.