The Pentagon’s top official has stepped down, creating a policy gap in the heart of Tuberville.

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Karlin’s departure means that the No. 1 and No. 2 positions in the policy office, as well as the top official overseeing DOD strategy, will be filled with acting chiefs until they are replaced by Tuberville (R-Ala.) his stance on public voting. The policy shop advises Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on all matters related to national security development and defense policy within the department.

Karlin was named DOD assistant secretary for strategy, planning and capabilities, tasked with overseeing the development of the Pentagon’s plans and strategies, in April 2021. to perform the duties of deputy secretary for policy – the office’s No. 2 position – since July. That was when Colin Kahl, the top policy officer at the time, put it down and his successor, Baker, was promoted to fill his role on an interim basis.

With Karlin’s departure, Melissa Dalton, the assistant secretary for national security and global affairs, will assume the duties of the No. 2 policy officer, according to Baker.

In July, President Joe Biden nominated Derek Chollet to replace Kahl. Chollet’s committee vote is still pending in the Senate.

Tuberville last week removed his monthly block of hundreds of high-ranking military positions, but still retained 11 officers selected for four-star positions. There is an effect down the chain, which means that lower-ranking officials are unable to perform their assigned roles. The strike is organized to protest the Pentagon’s policy of reimbursing soldiers who travel for graduation.

At the top of the military block, the Alabama senator is still opposed to senior DOD appointments. In addition to Chollet, Ronald Keohane, designated as assistant secretary for personnel and reserve affairs, and Nickolas Guertin, designated as assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, are still pending. the proof. Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, who was chosen in a two-way position as the head of the US Cyber ​​​​Command and the National Security Agency, is also detained.

If Tuberville does not raise his hold, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will be forced to eat floor time to hold individual votes for the remaining candidates, a lengthy process.

Karlin has been a key figure in the DOD since the beginning of the Biden administration, filling senior roles in the department. He served as deputy assistant secretary for policy twice in the Biden administration – from August 2021 to February 2022 and January to April 2023 – and also served as deputy assistant secretary for international security affairs from January to August 2021. the area of ​​protection policies during the transition.

In addition to his role in writing and implementing the National Defense Strategy, Karlin also oversaw the AUKUS agreement between the US, UK and Australia, which will bring together all the industries of the defense of the three nations to build nuclear aircraft for Australia, along with the development of new ones. Remote weapons and online capabilities. He also helped create a new competency policy office.

He is returning to training to begin a “semester-at-sea” with his family and young children, according to a DOD spokesman who spoke on condition of anonymity before an announcement was made.

“In the process, he will be a member of the academic staff, offering unique worldviews and historical expertise to a group of students after an important tour of national security,” said the agent.

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