Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Returns to Pentagon Following Cancer Surgery

Austin's Return Marked by Controversy Over Health Disclosure and Response to Drone Attack

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin returned to the Pentagon after nearly a month's absence due to complications from prostate cancer surgery.
Austin met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and attended a meeting at the White House Situation Room to discuss a recent drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops.
Austin's lack of disclosure about his diagnosis and hospitalization has prompted changes in federal guidelines and triggered an internal Pentagon review and an inspector general review into his department’s notification procedures.
Doctors at Walter Reed have stated that Austin's prognosis is excellent and no further treatments will be needed.
Austin has been criticized for keeping his prostate cancer diagnosis, surgery, and subsequent hospitalization secret.