CENTCOM Chief Kurilla Resigns Amid Pentagon Turmoil

General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla, known as 'The Gorilla,' has ended his four-decade military career after leading U.S. Central Command and directing President Donald Trump's unprecedented strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in June. He is succeeded by U.S. Navy Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper Junior, appointed to lead military operations in the Middle East. Kurilla's departure comes amid significant turbulence within the Defense Department, including a series of high-profile firings by Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, who recently dismissed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse of the Defense Intelligence Agency following critical assessments of the Iran strikes. Despite Trump's public announcement of bombing three Iranian nuclear sites with bunker buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles, the DIA's initial assessment indicated the strikes may have only delayed Iran's nuclear program by weeks rather than obliterating it. President Trump expressed anger over the leaked DIA assessment, criticizing journalists and defending the pilots involved in the missions. This reshuffling reflects ongoing unrest and leadership changes within the Pentagon during heightened tensions in the Middle East.