The Bulwark Podcast Mark Hertling and Ruben Gallego: A Rush to War
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Mar 3, 2026 
Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps Iraq combat veteran turned U.S. Senator, and Mark Hertling, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and military analyst, discuss the rush to war with unclear planning. They debate mixed political messaging, Iran strike goals, force protection failures, drone threats, and whether operations were hurried to match Israeli timelines.
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Fortify Logistics Hubs Now
- Harden and reassess temporary support sites immediately to prevent further casualties from drone strikes.
- Hertling describes the Kuwait theater support command as lightly protected temporary shelters that were vulnerable to incoming Shahid drones.
Shahed Drones Are A Cost-Effective Threat
- Shahed drones are a low-cost, high-impact threat that defeat expensive interceptors and can reach deep targets.
- Hertling notes Iranian Shaheds vary from small $5k models to large jets with 1,500 km range and can bypass radar or fly low to strike bases.
Time Is Iran's Strategic Advantage
- The U.S. faces an endurance contest: Iran can outlast American political and public attention.
- Hertling recalls an Iraqi proverb: 'you may have the watch, but we have the time,' warning Iran expects to wait out U.S. resolve.
