Pete Hegseth Faces Criticism from Military Members Over ‘Fog of War’ Comment
WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of War, has come under scrutiny from military personnel following his recent remarks during a cabinet meeting regarding a strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean Sea.
The controversy centers on Hegseth’s use of the phrase “fog of war” to describe the circumstances surrounding a second strike on the boat on Sept. 2, which reportedly killed two survivors of an initial attack. According to reports, some U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns that the military action may have constituted a war crime.
During the meeting, Hegseth defended the strike by stating, “I did not personally see survivors. The thing was on fire. It exploded, there’s fire, there’s smoke. This is called the ‘fog of war.’”
The New York Times clarified that the term “fog of war” typically refers to the imperfect and incomplete information that commanders and troops must process during combat, rather than literal smoke or fire. The phrase is also known from its use in strategy video games, where it denotes areas of limited visibility.
Military members and veterans expressed strong criticism of Hegseth’s comment on the r/military subreddit. One user pointed out that Hegseth used “fog of war” literally to mean smoke from the explosion, despite the availability of drone thermal imaging. Others argued that the term should not be used to excuse potential war crimes, especially when the attack was monitored remotely via live feed.
Additional comments highlighted skepticism about the justification for the strike, noting that a boat in the open ocean is an easily trackable target. Some users questioned Hegseth’s judgment and integrity, suggesting that his explanation was inadequate and concerning for future conflicts.
The debate underscores ongoing tensions regarding military accountability and the interpretation of combat conditions in modern warfare. Officials have not provided further details on the investigation into the strike or Hegseth’s remarks.
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