PART 1
To read the full text of the podcast and the links to the quoted materials, please see: https://erm76.substack.com/p/podcast-and-text-trump-and-hegseth
The podcast is a two-part critical analysis and commentary about President Trump and Pete Hegseth's role in the war with Iran. It appears that the US engaged in the conflict without appropriate consideration given to how Iran would respond to the US and Israeli attacks. This is particularly true in regard to Iran's ability to close the Tarit of Hormuz, which has international implications ranging from gas price increases to the possible shortage of fertilizer and other goods.
There are also leadership issues. These range from the President's overt martial inclinations and the abandonment of an earlier Iran nuclear deal. While there were shortcomings, it was a path to continued negotiations rather than starting a war. One of the reasons given for the war was the enriched uranium Iran still possesses.
As for Hegseth, he had the temerity to lecture career officers who have deep operational and command experience. Hegseth's decisions also lack a moral quality and clarity. Further, the armed forces and the country have lost command experience though some of his and the Trump Administration's decisions. And all this during a war.
Finally, one can only hope that the war will end soon. There have been too many deaths. And while the events of the war will be part of the discussion, a critical analysis and commentary about the Trump Administration's choices and actions will be at the forefront of our discussion. In some ways, these choices and actions transcend the war itself as they're markers of the Administration's ethos, or the lack thereof.
Notes:
* The assault against the Kurds was a genocide. Poison gas was used and prisoners were tortured in Amna Suraka Prison, now a museum. Years later, Kurdish forces supported the US operation against ISIS. Some 11,000 fell during the fight. Yet, in 2019, Trump abandoned the Kurds as US forces pulled out of Syria. What was Trump's excuse for this action: the Kurds didn't support the US during the Normandy invasion. You just have to shake your head at this answer.
(1) “Did a Queens Podiatrist Help Donald Trump Avoid Vietnam?,” by Steve Eder, The New York Times. December 26, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/us/politics/trump-vietnam-draft-exemption.html
(2)“United States was "likely" responsible for bombing of girls' school in Iran, per early U.S. assessment,” by Margaret Brennan, Olivia Gazis and Camilla Schick, CBS News. Updated on: March 9, 2026. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-iran-war-bombing-girls-school-assessment/
(3) “U.S. and Israel launch a major attack on Iran, Trump says Supreme Leader Khamenei killed,” by Joe Gambrell, Associated Press, Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press, Aamer Madhani, Associated Press and Josh Boak, Associated Press, PBS News. February 28, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-and-israel-launch-a-major-attack-on-iran-trump-says-supreme-leader-khamenei-killed Easy to say, but words with terrible implications.
(4) HON Pete Hegseth. Defense Department. Secretary of Defense. https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/4040890/hon-pete-hegseth/
(5) “Pete Hegseth Fast Facts,” by Editorial Research, CNN. Updated February 18, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/politics/pete-hegseth-fast-facts
(6) ‘Could have been an email': Officials balk at Hegseth's generals meeting,' by Jack Detsch and Leo Shane III, Politico. September 20, 2025. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/30/hegseth-meeting-pushback-00588181?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
(7) “Pete Hegseth had a lot to say when he summoned military leaders. Here are some facts and context,” by Julie Watson, Laurie Kellman and Deepth Hajela, AP News. September 30, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/military-combat-women-race-hegseth-d406029d0e0dfd52443ef8d7fcb765cb
(8) “Hegseth Strikes Two Black and Two Female Officers From Promotion List,” by Greg Jaffe, Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper and Adam Entous, The New York Times. March 27, 2026. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/us/hegseth-promotion-list.html