Overview

• The July 28 directive prohibits all Defense Department personnel from attending think tank or research events, including virtual forums, without explicit approval.
• Internal confusion over the policy’s scope prompted senior leaders to cancel planned talks, leading to the abrupt cancellation of a video conference with a departing U.S. general in Africa.
• Press secretary Kingsley Wilson declared on X that participation in forums like the Aspen Security Forum is off-limits, confirming there will be no remote attendance.
• Pentagon insiders warn the ban threatens the military’s ability to communicate policy, engage with allies and incorporate outside expertise.
• The measure extends Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s broader overhaul, which has also seen top commanders dismissed and press access restrictions imposed.