Defense Department – Page 7 – War Watch

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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.

Read More Hegseth Vows Lethal Day in Iran as Air War Intensifies
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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
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How Hegseth Came to See Moral Purpose in War as Weakness
ByGreg Jaffe March 12, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s bellicose and vengeful rhetoric describing the military’s war in Iran grew out of his experience in Iraq.

Read More How Hegseth Came to See Moral Purpose in War as Weakness
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Strong or Weak? How Trump Picks His Battles.
ByErica L. Green March 11, 2026

Despite his tough talk, President Trump has consistently made allowances for countries he sees as powerful or dominant.

Read More Strong or Weak? How Trump Picks His Battles.
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First Week of Iran War Cost More Than $11 Billion, Pentagon Tells Congress
ByCatie Edmondson March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

In a Capitol Hill briefing, officials gave their most comprehensive assessment of the cost of the first six days of the war, but the number omitted several aspects of the operation.

Read More First Week of Iran War Cost More Than $11 Billion, Pentagon Tells Congress
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How Trump and His Advisers Miscalculated Iran’s Response to War
ByMark Mazzetti, Tyler Pager and Edward Wong March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

In the lead-up to the U.S.-Israeli attack, President Trump downplayed the risks to the energy markets as a short-term concern that should not overshadow the mission to decapitate the Iranian regime.

Read More How Trump and His Advisers Miscalculated Iran’s Response to War
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U.S. Forces Attack Iranian Mine-Laying Ships Near the Strait of Hormuz
ByJohn Ismay March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

A video posted by the U.S. Central Command showed munitions striking nine vessels, most of which were moored at the time. Whether any mines have been laid in Gulf waters was unclear.

Read More U.S. Forces Attack Iranian Mine-Laying Ships Near the Strait of Hormuz