The New Rules Of War Are There Are No Rules
Summary
Brooke Gladstone discusses the U.S. conflict with Iran, highlighting President Trump’s threats and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s ban on press access. The episode features an interview with Wes J. Bryant, a former Pentagon official who helped build the civilian harm mitigation program before it was dismantled. Bryant details how the removal of legal safeguards and outdated targeting data contributed to a deadly strike on a school in Tehran, arguing that the administration’s culture of recklessness violates international law and erodes military credibility.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Lavender Locksmith and Progressive Insurance
Intro: Trump's threats, media bans, and Hegseth's press purge
Hegseth's rhetoric vs. DoD law of war and civilian harm
Wes Bryant's background and the Civilian Harm Mitigation Project
Past incidents: Mosul, Raqqa, Afghanistan, and Kunduz
Structure of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence
Challenges in mapping civilian populations and no-strike lists
Political dismantling of the center and 'woke' accusations
Whistleblowing, reprimands, and career consequences
Current status of staff and lack of operational visibility
Impact on Iran strikes and the Yemen campaign microcosm
Insurgent math and the escalation from Yemen to Iran
Analysis of the school strike and lack of US acknowledgment
How the center could have prevented the school tragedy
Lack of apology and targeting of essential services
Critique of 'no mercy' messaging and attacks on military lawyers
Bryant's shame and hope for the future of the US military
Closing remarks and podcast sign-off
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