America just staged what felt more like a political dog-and-pony show than a strategic summit.

Pete Hegseth summoned hundreds of admirals and generals to Quantico for a publicized meeting with zero clear agenda (seriously, even the invitees didn’t know why they were there). It’s the kind of spectacle that should worry any thinking person—or any warfighter whose loyalty is to mission, not showmanship.

That spectacle hides a deeper rot: our military leadership has become bloated, top-heavy, and strangled by bureaucracy. And with America’s moral and strategic authority drifting, Europe watches—and the likes of Xi and Putin are ready to pounce.

The Swell of Stars

Back in 2001, the U.S. military was leaner at the top. Today? We’ve ballooned. Hegseth recently ordered a 20% cut in four-star

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