In his first public appearance since departing the Trump administration, former Army Secretary Dan Driscoll warned during the Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv that warfare has reached an inflection point, criticizing major global militaries for lagging in speed and innovation. Sporting a tie with a traditional Ukrainian design, Driscoll appeared alongside Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO and head of the American defense firm Perennial Autonomy, with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria moderating the discussion. Both praised Kyiv’s wartime advancements, highlighting the DELTA software platform, which integrates radar, sensor, and troop data to offer a comprehensive battlefield view superior to any current U.S. military technology. Driscoll expressed belief that increased processing power and artificial intelligence will enable Ukraine to outpace, out-innovate, and ultimately defeat Russia. An Iraq War veteran, former venture capitalist, and Yale Law School friend of Vice President JD Vance, Driscoll previously participated in administration efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. His departure was announced on August 31 following reported disputes with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding senior officer removals and modernization initiatives, though the White House provided no official rationale. During his 18-month tenure, Driscoll advocated for the U.S. military to integrate lessons from the Ukrainian conflict, initiating procurement reforms in January to expedite weapon delivery. The ongoing war with Iran further highlighted these needs when the U.S. faced a shortage of defenses against Iranian Shahed drones, prompting Schmidt’s firm to supply 13,000 Merops interceptor drones and 10,000 Bumblebee reconnaissance and strike drones. Driscoll emphasized the necessity for larger militaries to adopt Ukraine’s fast and iterative approach. While the U.S. anticipates purchasing 300,000 drones this year compared to Ukraine’s multi-million-unit production projections—with former CIA Director David Petraeus noting from the audience that the figure could reach 10 million—recent U.S. policy has seen a step back from certain Ukrainian-focused learning processes, including the August phasing out of a specialized drone battalion and the early retirement or removal of key backers like Gen. Randy George and Gen. Christopher Donahue. Although Driscoll did not comment on those specific departures, he defended the administration’s overarching, albeit sometimes falling short, commitment to Ukraine’s success, concluding that he can best contribute to global security from outside the government.
Source: cbsnews.com
