Defense Department – Page 5 – War Watch

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A Look at the Escalating Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
ByLuke Broadwater, Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

There are several ways the United States could attempt to reopen the waterway, all of which carry substantial risks.

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U.S. Dispatches Marines and Warships to Middle East
ByHelene Cooper March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Officials said 2,500 Marines from 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in California and the U.S.S. Boxer amphibious ready group will go in April to relieve Marines already deployed in the Persian Gulf.

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Trump Says He Won’t Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room
ByKaroun Demirjian and David E. Sanger March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

The president was cagey about his plans for Iran. He confirmed the Pentagon was seeking $200 billion to support a protracted war effort while also claiming it would be over soon.

Read More Trump Says He Won’t Send Troops to Iran but Leaves Wiggle Room
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Trump Administration Faces Public Jitters as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran War
ByTony Romm, David E. Sanger and Michael Levenson March 19, 2026March 20, 2026

President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel suggested that the war with Iran could end soon, but that there were still more attacks ahead.

Read More Trump Administration Faces Public Jitters as Oil Prices Surge Amid Iran War
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Pentagon Seeks Additional $200 Billion to Fund Iran War
ByHelene Cooper, Tony Romm, Megan Mineiro and Karoun Demirjian March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

The request, which the White House has not yet submitted to Congress, is already encountering some resistance.

Read More Pentagon Seeks Additional $200 Billion to Fund Iran War
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Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices
ByDavid E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt, Tyler Pager, Ronen Bergman and Julian E. Barnes March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

As the conflict with Iran expands and intensifies, President Trump’s options — to fight on, or to move toward declaring victory and pulling back — both carry deeply problematic consequences.

Read More Entering War’s Third Week, Trump Faces Stark Choices
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Trump’s War Alliance With Israel Is Reshaping the Middle East. But It Carries Risks.
ByAnton Troianovski March 14, 2026

President Trump is the first American leader to embrace fighting a full-fledged, joint war with Israel. Washington has tried to avoid that level of coordination in the past.

Read More Trump’s War Alliance With Israel Is Reshaping the Middle East. But It Carries Risks.
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Hegseth’s Claim About Killing a Would-Be Assassin Creates a Mystery
ByJulian E. Barnes, Aaron Boxerman and Helene Cooper March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

The defense secretary said the leader of an Iranian unit that had planned to assassinate President Trump had been killed. But U.S. officials privately acknowledge the story is not that simple.

Read More Hegseth’s Claim About Killing a Would-Be Assassin Creates a Mystery
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Hegseth Vows Lethal Day in Iran as Air War Intensifies
ByGreg Jaffe March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

At a news conference, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave no indication of how long it would take before the Navy could escort civilian cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

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Hegseth’s Boasts of ‘Maximum’ Engagement Authorities Face Scrutiny After School Is Hit
ByCharlie Savage March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

The defense secretary has disparaged restrictive rules for opening fire that are aimed at reducing the risk of mistakes and civilian casualties.

Read More Hegseth’s Boasts of ‘Maximum’ Engagement Authorities Face Scrutiny After School Is Hit