"Defense Secretary Austin Returns to Duties After Undisclosed Intensive Care Stay Post-Surgery"
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized in the intensive care unit for four days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center following complications from an elective medical procedure. The Pentagon was initially reticent about the severity of his condition, which is a departure from their usual practice of promptly informing the media about the health of high-ranking officials. Austin has since resumed his full duties, and during his hospitalization, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who was on leave in Puerto Rico, would have been expected to carry out his responsibilities. The Defense Department has continued to manage international situations, including ordering a drone strike in Baghdad during this period.