US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization was due to surgery to treat prostate cancer and later to treat a urinary tract infection related to the surgery, his doctors revealed on Tuesday. The 70-year-old's cancer was detected early and his prognosis is excellent. The lack of transparency about Austin's hospitalization and the delays in notifying key leaders has sparked sharp criticism, prompting a policy review by the Biden administration and an internal review by the Pentagon.

A wider circle of leaders will now be notified about any future transfer of authority by the Defense Secretary to ensure proper and timely notification has been made to the President and White House, Congress, and the American public.