Точка Синхронізації

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a formal directive on Wednesday to terminate the Department of Defense’s long-standing research and educational partnerships with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. The order, signed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., marks a significant pivot in military policy aimed at distancing the nation's defense apparatus from elite academic institutions that the Secretary believes do not align with current strategic values. This move specifically targets Hegseth's own alma mater, signaling a broader ideological shift within the Department's leadership regarding where it sources policy research and leadership training. The administrative order is expected to disrupt a variety of existing programs, including fellowships for senior military officers, joint research grants, and specialized training tracks often utilized by rising leaders within the Pentagon. By severing these ties, Hegseth appears to be following through on public criticisms he has previously directed toward Ivy League institutions, which he has accused of fostering environments that are increasingly hostile to traditional military values and national security priorities. The Kennedy School, renowned for its influence on public policy and international relations, has historically served as a primary pipeline for transition between high-level military service and government consultancy. While the Pentagon has not yet provided a detailed timeline for the phase-out of all active contracts, the directive instructs department officials to begin reviewing and canceling agreements that link military funds and personnel to the university. Critics of the move argue that isolating the military from premier academic research could hinder the Department of Defense’s intellectual diversity and strategic foresight. However, supporters of Hegseth’s decision view it as a necessary step to recalibrate the military’s culture away from what they characterize as the 'over-academicization' of the defense establishment. This decision sets a precedent that could potentially affect other high-profile universities currently holding similar advisory or educational roles with the federal government.