Pete Hegseth, the US secretary of war, was one of the most controversial picks in Trump’s cabinet. But as Trump’s foreign adventures have come to define his second term, Hegseth is not just more visible, he’s become the Iran war’s main cheerleader. So who is he?

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Guest: Katy Balls, Washington editor and columnist, the Times and the Sunday Times.

Host: Manveen Rana

Producers: Harry Stott and Micaela Arneson

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Read more: Pete Hegseth, the former soldier and TV host selling Trump’s war

Further listening: Q&A: What we know (and don't know) about Trump's Iran talks

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Pete Hegseth: the former TV host selling Trump’s war

The Story