Ankara: US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has tendered his resignation to President Donald Trump following prolonged disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the future trajectory of the army and the dismissal of several high-ranking officers. The Wall Street Journal reported this development, citing an official announcement. Driscoll is anticipated to leave the Pentagon in the coming days.
According to Anadolu Agency, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly remarked that Secretary Driscoll had played a pivotal role in advancing President Trump's agenda to strengthen America's military might. His tenure included overseeing historic military operations, focusing on readiness and lethality, and facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
In another significant development, President Donald Trump addressed the status of the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that it is in "extremely good shape" with the assistance of the US Navy. Trump highlighted that approximately 30 ships traverse the strategic waterway each night, contributing to stable oil prices despite global tensions.
The Mecca Defense Agreement has initiated a process aimed at establishing a "new security and cooperation architecture" within the region, as stated by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Following a meeting in Istanbul, Fidan emphasized that the alliance with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is expected to foster greater regional stability and reduce uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the US stock market experienced a downturn on Monday, influenced by geopolitical tensions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.7%, closing at 53,185.90, while the S and P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also registered declines.
In the defense sector, five Turkish companies secured spots in the global top 100 defense list, with ASELSAN ranking highest among them. Additionally, Turkey's Men's National Basketball Team made history by becoming the first team to qualify for the FIBA 2027 World Cup, following a decisive victory against Iceland.
In sports, Argentina's Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football, expressing that he had given everything to the national team and felt it was time for a new generation to take over. Messi shared his decision on Instagram, acknowledging the emotional difficulty of his choice.