Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/09/2026A few paragraphs on Gen. Dan Caine's difficult position. From his National Defense University commencement speech. Free link: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/u... 032
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Hegseth has ushered the country's culture wars into the Pentagon. The result: Turmoil at a time the military cannot afford it. My effort to take stock of what it all means. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/u...nytimes.comTrying to Rid the Pentagon of Culture Wars, Hegseth Has Created His Own (Gift Article)Persistent distractions are feeding a climate of mistrust as the U.S. military faces a series of wartime issues, including shortfalls of missile interceptors. 69729
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Gripping story on the search for a disposable camera and the photos it took from inside twin towers on 9/11. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/n... www.nytimes.com/2026/09/09/n...nytimes.comHe’s Seen Images of 9/11 From Just About Every Angle. Except This One. (Gift Article)The 9/11 completist community wants to know and see everything. The Holy Grail? Pictures from inside the twin towers. 021
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 06/09/2026The battle to CD Donahue from Pete Hegseth's purge spanned the Pentagon, Congress and the White House. It's a window into Donahue's accomplishments and but also Hegseth's grievances and insecurities. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/u...nytimes.comThe Battle to Save General Donahue From Hegseth’s Army Purge (Gift Article)Gen. Christopher T. Donahue’s vision for fighting future wars won him powerful supporters around the world. Could they save his career? 1128
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Inside the Battle to Save One Pioneering General From Hegseth’s Purge with Adam Entous. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/06/u...nytimes.comThe Battle to Save General Donahue From Hegseth’s Army Purge (Gift Article)Gen. Christopher T. Donahue’s vision for fighting future wars won him powerful supporters around the world. Could they save his career? 2126
Reposted by Greg JaffeHamed Aleaziz @haleaziz.bsky.social · 03/09/2026SCOOP: An ICE whistleblower report obtained by the NYT said ICE was cutting corners, violating the law and fast-tracking unqualified, “improperly vetted” candidates into ICE’s ranks, part of a dangerous move that exposed the agency to “grave national security risks.” www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/u...nytimes.comICE Skipped Basic Checks in Rush for Recruits, Whistle-Blower SaysAn official who oversaw the vetting of ICE recruits cited an “unprecedented lowering of standards” amid a hiring surge. 31481183
Reposted by Greg JaffeBen Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026What Pablo Torre did was ridiculously impressive. Uncovered a conspiracy between rich guys, withstood a propaganda campaign by one of the richest guys in the world with a pretty good reputation, didn't buckle or panic, and just kept reporting. That's some Pulitzerin' right there. 147142262076
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Hegseth has purged at least 10 percent of the military’s top brass and shows no signs of slowing. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/01/u...nytimes.comHegseth Targets 7 More Officers as His Frustrated Army Secretary Quits (Gift Article)The defense secretary’s cuts, which have hit about 10 percent of the military’s top officers, are dividing the Pentagon, officials said. 34214139
Reposted by Greg JaffeCaptain Obvious @cooledgydude.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Obsessing over the "winning" and "losing" is half the problem... EVERYBODY loses in war... from the start... by definition... Making the best of the situation is what it is all about from there, and endless finger-pointing over "who lost" and what "winning means" doesn't help end it... 031
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Five years ago (today) we quit in Afghanistan. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/30/u...nytimes.comWhy the United States Can’t Quit Its Wars (Gift Article)The country’s longest war came to an end exactly five years ago. Today it offers lessons for policymakers seeking to avoid an endless war in Iran. 100
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026An essay on the difficulty of knowing when to say when. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/30/u...nytimes.comWhy the United States Can’t Quit Its Wars (Gift Article)The country’s longest war came to an end exactly five years ago. Today it offers lessons for policymakers seeking to avoid an endless war in Iran. 341
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 30/08/2026For much of the Afghanistan war, the only thing harder for the United States than winning was quitting. What does our struggle to quit Afghanistan tell us about the way forward in Iran? www.nytimes.com/2026/08/30/u...nytimes.comWhy the United States Can’t Quit Its Wars (Gift Article)The country’s longest war came to an end exactly five years ago. Today it offers lessons for policymakers seeking to avoid an endless war in Iran. 055
Reposted by Greg JaffeThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 25/08/2026A series of firings and feuds initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has left the Army essentially rudderless as it struggles to deal with the threat posed by cheap, deadly drones and missiles that have pounded U.S. bases in the Middle East.nyti.msHegseth’s Purge of Top Generals Leaves the Army RudderlessThe leadership vacuum comes as the Army is trying to adapt to a new kind of war dominated by deadly drones. 2314248
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 25/08/2026A series of firings and feuds, initiated by Sec. Hegseth, has left the Army rudderless at a dangerous moment for U.S. troops in Iran and a key moment in the war in Ukraine. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/u...nytimes.comHegseth’s Purge of Top Generals Leaves the Army Rudderless (Gift Article)The leadership vacuum comes as the Army is trying to adapt to a new kind of war dominated by deadly drones. 1211850
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 18/08/2026Interesting debate on metrics -- which ones are meaningful -- and are we focused on the right ones? Should reporters and editors focus different metrics? (I kind of think reporters should focus on those they can control, like time on story?) 010
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 17/08/2026Fascinating essay: "When my tour finally ended, Pence invited my family to the White House. In his office, he took my mother’s hand and smiled: 'You must be very proud of your daughter'...No one has affirmed my gender identity quite like Mike Pence." www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202...theatlantic.comThe Wrong Kind of AmericanThe Trump White House needed me—until the fact that I am trans became public. 282
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/08/2026“Hampton Inn said in a statement that there are no official limits to how many waffles someone can make in one trip, but suggested that making one at the time is probably the friendliest approach if there’s a line.” www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2026/...washingtonpost.com12 rules for the hotel breakfast buffetConsider these tips about waffle-making, buffet etiquette and cleaning up after yourself before your next hotel stay. 020
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Hegseth Is Pressed to Clarify Lawyer’s Role in Promotion Decisions. (A folo on our earlier story about Admiral Caudle's promotion to CNO). www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/u...nytimes.comHegseth Is Pressed to Clarify Lawyer’s Role in Promotion Decisions (Gift Article)Representative Jason Crow asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain statements about his special adviser’s influence following a New York Times report. 35422
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Hegseth’s blocking of promotions for high-ranking women in the military has contributed to the lowest percentage of such nominations for women in at least 25 years, according to a NYT analysis. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/u...nytimes.comUnder Hegseth, Women’s Share of Top Military Promotions Plunged This YearThe percentage of high-ranking officer nominations going to women is currently at its lowest level in over two decades. 14308137
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Inside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate "...a humiliation ritual," says Priya Rashid, the lawyer who had handled most of them. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...nytimes.comInside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate (Gift Article)The Pentagon is relying on closed-door hearings to kick out transgender service members. An Army Reserve lawyer is one of the few who have seen how they really work. 1108
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 03/08/2026"The Pentagon has treated the trans separation board hearings with levels of security and silence usually reserved for state secrets... In some cases, service members’ spouses and even the service members themselves are kept out." w/ Dave Philipps www.nytimes.com/2026/08/03/u...nytimes.comInside the Secretive Boards Deciding Trans Troops’ Fate (Gift Article)The Pentagon is relying on closed-door hearings to kick out transgender service members. An Army Reserve lawyer is one of the few who have seen how they really work. 19553
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Rep. Jason Crow asked Pete Hegseth if Tim Parlatore, his special adviser and personal attorney, represented any officers seeking promotions from him. “He doesn’t represent anyone,” Mr. Hegseth replied. This was not true. He rep'd the future CNO. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/26/u...nytimes.comAn Admiral’s Rise Reveals the Politics Driving Hegseth’s Pentagon (Gift Article)Before he was picked to lead the Navy, Adm. Daryl Caudle found ways to signal his support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s anti-diversity goals. 1176
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026What does it take to get a top job in Pete Hegseth's Pentagon? Our story on the chief of naval operations campaign, which began before Sec. Hegseth was even confirmed by the Senate. w/@katekelly www.nytimes.com/2026/07/26/u...nytimes.comAn Admiral’s Rise Reveals the Politics Driving Hegseth’s Pentagon (Gift Article)Before he was picked to lead the Navy, Adm. Daryl Caudle found ways to signal his support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s anti-diversity goals. 164
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 24/07/2026It’s quittin’ time. www.theatlantic.com/internationa...theatlantic.comThe War Is Lost. Now Fix What It Broke.America has to rethink how it moves resources, fights wars, and deters adversaries. 142
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 23/07/2026"I’ve had a hand in killing around six people. Maybe seven. I don’t know if one man bled out on the side of the road or was taken to a doctor. I think about him often... The killing wasn’t detached; it felt deeply personal." @tmgneff.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/w...nytimes.comWhy I Sought Out a Taliban Commander I Had FoughtFirst as a Marine and then as a journalist, I spent years tied to Afghanistan. I returned one last time to speak to a former enemy in search of answers, and perhaps closure. 042
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Best thing you'll read this week. The Pentagon might not want to take accountability for the Afghanistan war. @tmgneff.bsky.social did it for them. Hope this circulates far and wide at the Pentagon. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/w...nytimes.comWhy I Sought Out a Taliban Commander I Had Fought (Gift Article)First as a Marine and then as a journalist, I spent years tied to Afghanistan. I returned one last time to speak to a former enemy in search of answers, and perhaps closure. 175
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 19/07/2026Four Iranian attacks in five days have targeted U.S. troops in Jordan, U.S. officials said, including one on Friday that killed two soldiers and left another service member missing. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/18/w...nytimes.comWhy Jordan Is Becoming a New Focus in the U.S.-Iran War (Gift Article)Four Iranian attacks in five days have targeted U.S. troops in Jordan, U.S. officials said, including one on Friday that killed two soldiers and left another service member missing. 013
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 17/07/2026Trump Faces the Limits of U.S. Firepower and the Lessons of Past Wars From Iraq: “Sometimes doing nothing is the best reaction.” w/ @ericschmittnytbot.mirrors.bot www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/u...nytimes.comTrump Faces the Limits of U.S. Firepower and the Lessons of Past WarsLike his predecessors, President Trump has struggled to turn battlefield successes into long-term victories. 145
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Hegseth Plans to Screen All Troops, Even Women, for Low Testosterone www.nytimes.com/2026/07/15/u...nytimes.comHegseth Plans to Screen All Troops, Even Women, for Low Testosterone (Gift Article)Pete Hegseth, as defense secretary, has sought to cultivate an image as a manosphere-friendly leader. 384419
Reposted by Greg JaffeThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 15/07/2026Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked promotions for seven senior Navy officers, mostly women or people of color.nyti.msOpportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More PromotionsFor the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year. 3611380
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Hegseth strikes 7 from promotion list: Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to command one of the Navy’s 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, was pulled off the list. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/u...nytimes.comOpportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More Promotions (Gift Article)For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year. 24178110
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/07/2026Opportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More Promotions For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/u...nytimes.comOpportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More Promotions (Gift Article)For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year. 035
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/07/2026For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/u...nytimes.comOpportunities Narrow for Women as Hegseth Blocks More Promotions (Gift Article)For the first time in more than a decade, no active-duty female Navy officers are likely to be promoted to admiral this year. 34827
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/07/2026The Senator is alive. The Sports section is dead. Jeff Bezos killed it. 011
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 26/06/2026ADM McRaven: “I can tell you from experience that Generals C. Q. Brown, Randy George, Jim Mingus, J. P. McGee, Dave Hodne, Jim Slife, and Joe Berger and Admirals Lisa Franchetti and Jamie Sands were war fighters through and through.” www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...theatlantic.comAmericans Deserve Answers From HegsethThe president and the secretary of defense have a right to remove officers, but also an obligation to explain their actions. 073
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 26/06/2026On May 5, military leaders asked Hegseth's office for permission to mandate flu vaccinations. On Jun 17, they finally got the OK. By that point the flu was racing through Air Force basic training. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/u...nytimes.comMilitary Leaders Sought Vaccination Program Weeks Before Flu Outbreak Hit Base 1114039
Reposted by Greg JaffeMike J @mikejason.bsky.social · 22/06/2026"I mean, say what you want about the tenets of Unlimited Shrimp, Dude, at least it's an ethos."static.klipy.comThe Big Lebowski: Oh Really?ALT: The Big Lebowski: Oh Really? 093
Reposted by Greg JaffeThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 19/06/2026Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has blocked the promotions of at least 40 senior officers to general and admiral ranks so far this year. About half of those are women or members of minority groups. Read the inside story on the process Hegseth and his team have used to halt their advancements.nyti.msInside Hegseth’s War on Diversity and Blocked Promotions of Women and Black OfficersA Black admiral fixed one of the Navy’s worst messes. Mr. Hegseth blocked his promotion anyway. 4917389
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026A Black Admiral's Promotion Seemed Like a Given. Hegseth Blocked It Anyway www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/u...nytimes.comSecret Vetting and Blocked Promotions: Inside Hegseth’s War on Diversity 4186
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Secret Vetting and Blocked Promotions: Inside Hegseth’s War on Diversity w/ Kate Kelly www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/u...nytimes.comSecret Vetting and Blocked Promotions: Inside Hegseth’s War on Diversity 031
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Scores Fall Ill at Air Force Base After Hegseth Makes Flu Vaccine Optional. One trainees' death is under investigation. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/u...nytimes.comScores Fall Ill at Air Force Base After Hegseth Makes Flu Vaccine Optional 032
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Scores Fall Ill at Air Force Base After Hegseth Makes Flu Vaccine Optional In April, he disparaged the vaccine requirement as an “absurd, overreaching” mandate. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/u...nytimes.comScores Fall Ill at Air Force Base After Hegseth Makes Flu Vaccine Optional 1610825
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 02/06/2026Update: Hegseth pulled nine officers off the Navy one-star list. The only three female and two of the three black male officers on the 22-person list. 48343
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 01/06/2026Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List. The net result: a slate of 22 new one-star admiral nominees that bears little resemblance to the broader force these officers will help lead. Of special note: The list has no women. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/u...nytimes.comHegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List 76713373
Reposted by Greg JaffeBill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 20/05/2026The Post lost > 250,000 subscribers after Bezos screwed up the editorial page, and an additional 60,000 subs after he fired around half the staff. Doesn’t seem like profit is his actual motive here. 1423051
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 14/05/2026Adm. Cooper’s testimony suggested that he believed that the U.S. military’s record since Feb. 28 school strike had been near perfect. “Ridiculous,” said human rights group that investigates civilian casualties. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/u...nytimes.comA Top U.S. Commander Dismisses Reports of Civilian Deaths in Iran 36216
Reposted by Greg JaffeThe Sunday Long Read @thesundaylongread.bsky.social · 10/05/2026Powerful personal essay meets fascinating science reporting in this exploration of what dementia takes from us. @jacobfeldman.bsky.social's favorite this week by @ellenbarry.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/s...nytimes.comWhen My Father’s Canary Flew Away 033
Greg Jaffe @gregjaffe.bsky.social · 08/05/2026“My mind shot back a decade, to that day we had marched into Vietnam, swaggering, confident and full of idealism. We had believed we were there for a high moral purpose. But somehow our idealism was lost, our morals corrupted and the purpose forgotten.” www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/b...nytimes.comPhilip Caputo, Who Wrote Blistering Vietnam War Memoir, Dies at 84 071