Updated

The United States removed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from his role as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff this week, The Atlantic reported on Wednesday, 2026-10-29. The magazine cited unidentified defense department officials and said the shake-up came as President Donald Trump appeared to be preparing to resume large-scale strikes against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly fired Sylvia, and the reports did not give a reason for the removal.