Dan Driscoll Discusses Military Innovation at Yalta Strategy Conference

On September 12, 2026, former Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll made his first public appearance since departing the Trump administration. Speaking at the Yalta European Strategy forum in Kyiv, Driscoll highlighted an ‘inflection point in warfare.’ He urged the need for rapid innovation among the world’s largest militaries to keep pace with evolving threats.

Driscoll, wearing a tie with a traditional Ukrainian design, shared the stage with Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO and head of Perennial Autonomy, a defense firm involved in Ukraine. The discussion, moderated by CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, centered on Ukraine’s security role in the West.

Both Driscoll and Schmidt commended Ukraine’s military innovations, specifically the ‘DELTA’ software platform. This technology integrates data from various sources to deliver a comprehensive battlefield view. Driscoll noted, ‘It surpasses any current U.S. military technology.’

‘With expanding AI and processing power, Ukraine has an opportunity to outpace the Russians in innovation and partnerships,’ Driscoll said.

Driscoll, an Iraq War veteran and former venture capitalist, served as Army Secretary for 18 months. His tenure saw efforts to negotiate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. His resignation on August 31 followed conflicts with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over modernization efforts.

During his service, Driscoll pushed to implement lessons from the Ukraine war. Procurement reforms were introduced to accelerate weapon distribution. The conflict with Iran emphasized the need for updated defenses, leading to rapid drone deployments by Schmidt’s Perennial Autonomy.

‘Could the government have had a long-term plan for this?’ Schmidt pondered.

Driscoll emphasized learning from Ukraine’s fast-paced, adaptive strategies, which resonated with international participants at the forum. Despite a projected shortfall in U.S. drone acquisitions compared to Ukraine’s plans, Driscoll defended U.S. commitment to Ukraine. He acknowledged the unmet expectations but affirmed unwavering support.

Ultimately, Driscoll decided his impact would be greater outside government, stating, ‘My highest and best use to make the world safer is from outside.’