What impact has the Iran war had on the U.S. military? As the conflict drags on, the Times Opinion columnist and Iraq war veteran David French speaks with the former Special Forces officer Mike Nelson about the way Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, has tried to remake the military in the midst of the war, and what the Democrats should do if they win control of Congress in January. Read the full transcript here: https://nytimes.com/2026/10/07/opinion/pete-hegseth-pentagon-iran-war.html Thoughts? Email us at theopinions@nytimes.com. Follow us: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-opinions/id1762898126 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/581OhiIm69lqSyNRbBkXnf TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nytopinion Publish Schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays The Opinions podcast: "You've heard the news, here's what to make of it."