Washington, D.C. – The Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented a significant policy shift, restricting officials from participating in think tank and research events, a move that has drawn sharp criticism and sparked debate over the influence of established defense institutions. This decision, championed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, aims to realign the Pentagon's engagement with external organizations, emphasizing an "America First" agenda. The Defense Analyses and Research Corporation (DARC), a new defense think tank, publicly supported the ban, stating, > "No surprise seeing @politico squirm on the @DeptofDefense thinktank ban: they benefit directly from the prestige circlejerk that @SecDef is starving."
The ban, effective July 2025, mandates that the Pentagon's Office of Public Affairs thoroughly vet all invitations for DoD officials to ensure events align with the administration's values. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson affirmed, "DOD officials attending think tank events is not a priority whatsoever at this Department of Defense." This directive follows earlier actions by Secretary Hegseth, including the closure of the Pentagon's internal Office of Net Assessment in March 2025, signaling a broader effort to reshape defense intellectual discourse.
DARC's tweet highlights a long-standing concern regarding the financial ties between the defense industry, the Pentagon, and many prominent think tanks. Historically, a substantial portion of funding for leading foreign policy and defense think tanks has come from the DoD and defense contractors, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the objectivity of their research. Critics argue this system has fostered a "prestige circlejerk" that perpetuates certain narratives and spending priorities within the defense establishment.
The new policy has generated apprehension among allies, industry leaders, and former defense officials. Concerns include the muzzling of military voices, the potential isolation of the Pentagon from crucial international dialogues, and reduced access for tech start-ups seeking to understand defense priorities. A NATO diplomat noted that losing public events where insights into military policy could be gleaned would have a significant impact.
DARC's call for "closing the funding spigot and fostering a new generation of unapologetically American strategists and institutions" resonates with Secretary Hegseth's vision for a more independent and aligned defense intellectual landscape. The ban represents a deliberate effort to disrupt traditional channels of influence and promote a strategic direction perceived as more reflective of the current administration's priorities. The long-term impact on defense policy formulation and the future of defense think tanks remains a subject of ongoing observation and analysis.