Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. Photo: Omar Havana/AP
Pentagon chief Pete Hagel announced a large-scale cut in the US military budget, which could reach tens of billions of dollars annually, The Washington Post reports.
In a memo dated Tuesday, Hagel demands that the US Defence Department agencies prepare proposals for funding cuts by 24 February. According to his plan, the budget should be reduced by 8% annually over the next five years.
“President Trump’s mission to the Pentagon is clear: to achieve peace through strength,” the document says.
What will remain the same?
Despite the overall cuts, 17 sectors of the US Department of Defence will be immune. In particular, they will retain their funding:
- Operations on the border with Mexico
- Modernisation of the nuclear arsenal
- Support to US military commands in the Asia-Pacific region and Space
Who was laid off?
At the same time, the US European Command, which manages operations in Ukraine, may feel the financial blow. The Central Command (Middle East) and the African Command are also in question, which could affect US operations in conflict regions.
This move has provoked strong political opposition, as the US simultaneously conducts global military operations and expands its influence in key regions of the world.
