The Hugh Hewitt Show: Highly Concentrated On The Eve of a Strike against Iran
Feb 28, 2026
Robert C. O'Brien, former U.S. National Security Advisor and Army officer, offers operational perspective on possible strikes. Matt Continetti, AEI senior fellow and WSJ columnist, outlines geopolitical strategy and red lines. They discuss imminent military posturing, targeting regime leaders, Israel's likely role, covert pressure tactics, and strategic effects on China, energy, and Taiwan security.
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Desert Storm Platoon Leader Memory
- Kurt Schlichter recalled being a young platoon leader in Desert Storm preparing on Feb 23, 1991 and waking at O-dark-30 to begin the ground war.
- He emphasized the weight of leadership responsibility and fear of making mistakes that could get subordinates killed, not personal fear of dying.
Military Posture Signals Intent
- Kurt Schlichter argued the U.S. deployed a third of its surface and subsurface fleets and significant Air Force aviation into the region only with intent to use them.
- He framed those deployments as signaling a long-planned decision to act against Iran rather than a temporary posture.
Prepare Electronic And Human Intelligence First
- Eli Lake highlighted unseen elements like electronic operations, human intelligence, and information operations that prepare the battlefield beyond visible ships and planes.
- He suggested reliance on those hidden measures with Israel can increase the chance of overthrowing Iran's theocracy without revealing specifics.