Donahue (56), who was the last US soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021, is seen as the latest example of top military officials ousted by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — sometimes without explanation. At his last public appearance in Estonia, where a new tactical headquarters for protecting NATO’s eastern flank was inaugurated on Tuesday, Donahue almost protectively stood by European partners.
“NATO is stronger today than ever before,” Donahue said a week before the NATO summit in Ankara. He stressed that Europe is taking on more responsibility than in the last 35 years and that the US would support its allies. This statement contrasts with US Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of the alliance.
Donahue’s departure was directly ordered by Hegseth, several US media outlets reported, citing US officials. According to the reports, the Pentagon portrays the personnel change as part of Hegseth’s overhaul of military leadership, which also includes downgrading Donahue’s position as part of a review of the US military presence in Europe. However, Hegseth also blocked efforts to transfer Donahue to other top posts, the reports said.
Source: Stadt München
