A wave of internal dissent has erupted at the Pentagon as officials accuse Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth of fostering 'Mean Girls'-style politics that has upended military leadership during a critical phase of the Iran war. Senior defence officials are increasingly voicing alarm over what they describe as a culture of petty infighting and unpredictable decision-making at the highest levels of the Pentagon, with one insider bluntly characterising the atmosphere as 'high-school' behaviour.
The controversy follows a string of abrupt dismissals and internal feuds that have shaken confidence across the Department of Defense. Several high-ranking military leaders involved in managing operations related to the Iran war have been removed or sidelined, with personal rivalries reported to be influencing strategic decisions at a critical juncture.
