Driscoll seen as possible successor to Hegseth at Pentagon

US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll may replace Pete Hegseth as US defense secretary, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with internal discussions.

Driscoll’s “unusual role” in US efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine has revived months-long speculation inside the administration. President Donald Trump is said to value Driscoll’s input on Ukraine and often refers to him as “the drone guy,” given his oversight of unmanned systems development in the US military.

Driscoll recently visited Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and took part in US-Ukraine negotiations in Geneva. CBS News reported that he also met Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, a fact later confirmed by the Pentagon.

According to Axios, a Ukrainian delegation — including intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov — is also present in Abu Dhabi.