Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has significantly altered his approach to describing the US military’s war in Iran, framing it as a mission focused on “death and destruction” rather than seeking justice. Hegseth believes that the US military’s strength lies not in its high ideals or moral purpose but in its ability to punish adversaries. His views reflect those of President Trump and have sparked concerns about the potential psychological impact on troops fighting in the war. The shift in rhetoric has raised questions about whether wars waged without a clear moral purpose will weigh heavily on soldiers after the conflict ends.
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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/12/us/politics/hegseth-iran-war.html