Summary
Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News presenter with minimal managerial experience, as defense secretary has stunned the Pentagon.
Hegseth has been a vocal critic of the military, calling for a purge of generals and questioning the appointment of Gen. Charles Brown as chair of the joint chiefs of staff.
Hegseth’s nomination is seen as a boost for the far right in Israel, as he has shown support for territorial expansion and suggested the construction of a new temple on the Temple Mount.
Yeah, I’m trying to think of a recent (<100y) example that didn’t result in a junta or other coups, and I’m drawing a blank.
Gorbachev purging the Soviet military.
I don’t think that’s really a coup — if anything it’s the same as what Trump wants to do, but unlike Mr. Pizza Hut he isn’t on the right side of history.
Collapsing the USSR and causing horrible living conditions throughout the area for the better part of two decades was the right side of history?
Right, I forgot he singlehandedly destroyed the USSR, which was a glorious utopia until his leadership and would totally still be around today otherwise. Thanks for the correction.
I interpreted you as saying that you couldn’t think of a mass purge that didn’t result in a junta or other coups.
I was thinking (and presumably xmunk too) of scenarios where the military overthrows the government.
There are lots of examples of purges not resulting in coups, including the most famous purger of recent times, Stalin.
Ah