Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon leadership for pursuing increased violence without strategic direction in the Iran war, now in its 30th day.
Krugman dismissed Hegseth's belief that escalated aggression would produce results, noting 10,000 ground troops cannot secure the Persian Gulf or reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Hegseth called for, "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy," at prayer breakfasts.
Krugman questioned how seizing Kharg Island advances objectives without an end game. He also noted President Donald Trump claims to negotiate with Iran despite no credible evidence talks are occurring, simultaneously threatening to bomb civilian infrastructure.
Krugman characterized the approach as a "quagmire" driven by Trump and Hegseth's unshakable belief that violence produces results, with each military failure prompting only greater destruction and no coherent strategy for success.
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