The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated We are winning in Iran
Mar 19, 2026
Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review commentator and podcaster, offers political and strategic perspective. Sen. John Thune, Senate Republican leader, discusses defense funding and readiness. Noah C. Rothman, National Review foreign policy writer, analyzes air superiority, targeted strikes, coalition dynamics, and geopolitical consequences. They debate military benchmarks, NATO and European roles, and strategic sequencing in the Gulf.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Prior Worst Cases Were Avoided Through Preemptive Degradation
- The historical worst-case scenarios for conflict with Iran have been largely averted.
- Rothman contrasts pre-October 7 expectations of strait closure, mass casualties, and oil shocks with the current limited fatalities and degraded Iranian capabilities.
Strikes Are Expanding From Military To Industrial Targets
- The campaign is widening to Iranian infrastructure and leadership targeting.
- Hugh Hewitt notes strikes on Iranian gas facilities and high-value leaders, with Israel and the U.S. taking out key production and command nodes.
U.S. Resolve Is Forcing Recalculation In Beijing And Moscow
- The campaign impacts great-power calculations by demonstrating U.S. will and capability.
- Rothman argues China and Russia now reassess reliance on an 'anti-American axis' as the U.S. shows sustained strategic use of high-end munitions and resolve.