The great benefit to the U.S. from these constant purges is that it likely reduces the possibility of China making a military move against Taiwan. Hard to see a surviving general acting with sufficient initiative in a conflict knowing one false move gets them arrested. Unless there is somebody who is a) HIGHLY capable and b) was not taking any money. Given the price of a first star was $150,000 ten years ago, that sounds like a unicorn.
That is subjective, to say the least. All flag officers look good on paper. It’s when the shooting starts that you find out. I would note the legacy leadership was missing recruiting goals by 15,000-20,000 per year and that within months of Hegseth taking over they were meeting recruiting targets in 9 months (and no, it was NOT by lowering standards which, if anything, are being raised). Where there is DEFINITE improvement is in procurement. I write research on defense companies and the Pentagon was tolerating missile suppliers who were behind schedule owing to “lack of rocket motors.” Now, they are spending the money because the Pentagon is writing real checks to a new generation of start up defense contractors (Anduril, Saronic, etc.).
The great benefit to the U.S. from these constant purges is that it likely reduces the possibility of China making a military move against Taiwan. Hard to see a surviving general acting with sufficient initiative in a conflict knowing one false move gets them arrested. Unless there is somebody who is a) HIGHLY capable and b) was not taking any money. Given the price of a first star was $150,000 ten years ago, that sounds like a unicorn.
except that america is undergoing a far greater purge of competence in military leadership.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2026/06/pete-hegseth-racism-officers-generals.html
That is subjective, to say the least. All flag officers look good on paper. It’s when the shooting starts that you find out. I would note the legacy leadership was missing recruiting goals by 15,000-20,000 per year and that within months of Hegseth taking over they were meeting recruiting targets in 9 months (and no, it was NOT by lowering standards which, if anything, are being raised). Where there is DEFINITE improvement is in procurement. I write research on defense companies and the Pentagon was tolerating missile suppliers who were behind schedule owing to “lack of rocket motors.” Now, they are spending the money because the Pentagon is writing real checks to a new generation of start up defense contractors (Anduril, Saronic, etc.).
i guess he should have just stuck with profiting from state-backed uygur slave labor.