Meet Michael Erik Kurilla, US General known as 'Gorilla', who is handling West Asia crisis

A four-star general nicknamed ‘Gorilla’ is handling the US’ plans for the West Asia crisis.

Though one would expect US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to handle the matter, he has instead delegated power to General Michael Erik Kurilla.

So much so that Kurilla is actually overriding decisions from senior members of the Pentagon.

But who is Kurilla? What do we know about his handling of the crisis in West Asia?

Let’s take a closer look: 

Who is he?

Kurilla hails from Minnesota’s Elk River.

He is known as ‘Gorilla’ because of his physique.

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Kurilla graduated from West Point’s United States Military Academy with a BS in Aerospace Engineering.

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He also has an MBA from Regis University and a MS in National Security Studies from the National War College.

Kurilla joined the infantry in 1988.

He has seen action in several countries including Panama, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.

 From 2004 to 2014, Kurilla led conventional and special operations forces in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility.

He has been awarded several honours including Bronze Star in 2005 and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Kurilla was awarded the Bronze Star for leading his troops in the battle after being shot thrice.

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Kurilla was investigated by the US army last year for allegedly shoving a service member while being on a trip to West Asia.

General Kurilla is married to Mary Paige.

They have two daughters.

How is he directing the US’ plans?

Kurilla has been Chief of Staff of CENTCOM, the combatant command in the Middle East and Central Asia, since April 2022.

CENTCOM is the US military’s top body in West Asia.

Officials say Kurilla seems to get whatever he wants – from jet fighters to aircraft carriers – from Hegseth.

The Pentagon sent a second aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz, to West Asia this week.

The Pentagon has already deployed F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s to the region.

Kurilla, who is said to be a noted hawk on Iran, is close to Israel.

In fact, Hegseth’s deference to Kurilla is raising eyebrows around the Pentagon.

Experts say much of it comes down to the fact that he looks the part – which is particularly important to both Trump and Hegseth.

“He’s got the look of the general that both Hegseth and Trump are looking for,” an ex-official told Politico. “He’s a big dude, he’s jacked, he’s exactly this ‘lethality’ look they’re going for.”

“If the senior military guys come across as tough and warfighters, Hegseth is easily persuaded to their point of view,” the former official added. Kurilla “has been very good at getting what he wants.”

Kurilla has frequently a rgued against the recommendations of his superiors Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby.

Both Caine and Colby have urged caution when dealing with the situation in West Asia.

“He’s extremely strategic and persuasive about what CENTCOM can do given adequate resources,” Dan Shapiro, who until January was the Pentagon’s top West Asia policy official, told the outlet. “That was certainly true in the Biden administration. It may be more true now.”

Kurilla earlier this month told the US Congress that he offered President Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth a “wide range” of military options in case talks with Iran don’t pan out.

With inputs from agenices