US Army General Steps Down Amid NATO and Middle East Tensions

The Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has stirred reactions among NATO allies with a recent speech in Brussels. This development coincides with Fox News’ National Security correspondent, Jennifer Griffin, reporting from Washington, D.C. on the ongoing U.S. military presence in the Middle East. Her report emphasizes the current conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the significance of the Strait of Hormuz in U.S.-Iran discussions.

According to U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM), 55 merchant ships safely passed through the Strait, transporting over 17 million barrels of oil.

The commanding general of U.S. Army forces in Europe and Africa, Gen. Christopher Donahue, is set to step down after roughly 18 months in the position. He will resign on July 2 upon the request of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who aims to reduce the number of generals and emphasize the recruitment of new soldiers. Donahue is not the first to exit early under Hegseth’s leadership, joining over two dozen other officers. Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie will assume Donahue’s responsibilities after his departure.

Donahue is well-known for being the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan in August 2021, as seen in a notable photo captured through night vision goggles. During this time, he served as the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, tasked with overseeing security at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the U.S. withdrawal. While Marines secured Abbey Gate at the airport, a suicide bombing there claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and about 170 Afghan civilians.

The withdrawal that airlifted approximately 124,000 Afghans received bipartisan praise for the execution, despite widespread criticism of the haphazard exit strategy. President Donald Trump criticized former President Joe Biden’s handling of this, prompting Hegseth to initiate a new investigation following previous probes by various governmental bodies.

A graduate of West Point and a career special operations commander, Donahue has led Delta Force units and was positioned as the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division between July 2020 and March 2022 before his current role. As a central figure in aiding Ukraine after Russia invaded in February 2022, Donahue became the Army’s expert on drone warfare.

In the Army, Donahue has a reputation as a seasoned soldier with extensive combat experience and the potential to become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His resignation aligns with discussions to downgrade U.S. Army Europe and Africa from a four-star to a three-star command, following Hegseth’s announcement of a six-month review of American forces in Europe. He communicated this intent to NATO officials, stressing that the review’s results will vary among countries.

Though the Pentagon has yet to comment on Donahue’s resignation, The Atlantic first reported this development. It was also mentioned that Donahue will require a presidential waiver to retain his four-star retirement benefits, as he hasn’t held the rank for three years.

Jennifer Griffin and The Associated Press have contributed to this report. For further information, contact James Cirrone at Fox News Digital.