The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources, reported that General Christopher Donahoe, commander of US Army Europe‑Africa (USAREUR‑AF) and NATO ground forces, was forced into sudden retirement at the request of the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hagel. Prior to the announcement, many believed Donahoe was on track to become the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He previously led the Delta Force unit in Iraq and Syria and played a key role in the fight against ISIS. During the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, his 82nd Airborne unit secured the evacuation of American and allied forces in Kabul, earning him the distinction of being the last U.S. soldier to leave the country.
According to the report, Donahoe’s removal is part of Hagel’s broader effort to increase his influence over the Army’s command structure, replacing combat‑experienced leaders with officials more aligned with Hagel and former President Donald Trump.