Hegseth's Israel trip

News · Heat 1.6 / 10 · 2 shows · 10m airtime

On October 19, 2026, Axios reported that Pete Hegseth made a surprise visit to Israel and met Benjamin Netanyahu at an airbase. Reporting since then says Hegseth has cooled on renewing major combat operations, with Admiral Brad Cooper the holdout in his inner circle. The discussion weighs the military and economic costs of a third round with oil near $110 and interceptors depleted.

How 2 podcasts covered it

1. Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar, 2026-10-21 (4:32 to 11:28)
   Adds sourcing on Hegseth cooling on combat
   Picks up the Axios report on Hegseth's unannounced Israel trip and the Trump-Netanyahu call, then adds sourcing that Hegseth himself has cooled on renewing major combat operations while Admiral Brad Cooper remains the lone advocate in his inner circle.
   New angle: Sources say Hegseth has cooled on renewing major combat operations; Admiral Brad Cooper remains the holdout.
2. Up First, 2026-10-23 (1:54 to 5:27)
   Recaps the signs of preparation against Iran
   Recaps the signs of preparation for a new round against Iran - the third carrier, Hegseth's low-key Israel visit, State Department departures from Saudi Arabia - and stays inside the week's reporting, adding only that the Roosevelt is about a week out.