Ending the War Will Require Force

The hosts of *Shield of the Republic* launch a sharp critique of a New York Times op-ed by Nick Kristof accusing Israel of systemic sexual war crimes, calling it a case of 'useful idiot' journalism due to its reliance on dubious sources like the Euromed Human Rights Monitor—founded by a man designated as a Hamas operative—and unsubstantiated claims about Israeli soldiers using dogs to rape Palestinians. They argue that while abuses in Israeli prisons are real and troubling, Kristof’s framing distorts reality and plays into the hands of those who seek to whitewash all accountability. The conversation then pivots to U.S. defense mismanagement under the Trump administration, particularly the chaos in the Department of Defense under Pete Hegseth, with Eric Edelman highlighting how billions were wasted on National Guard deployments and munitions shortages. Elliot Cohen underscores the long-term consequences of underfunding and poor leadership, contrasting it with the successful Reagan-era defense buildup. They also debate the role of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arguing that General Mark Milley should not publicly reveal strategic concepts like Iran’s 'center of gravity' during wartime, as it risks exposing military plans. Instead, they insist civilian leadership must own strategic messaging.