The defense secretary is remaking the military around loyalty and religion while the US builds up forces for another round with Iran — bad news for troops and for anyone hoping the war stays over.

• Pete Hegseth told Marines at a Virginia base the Pentagon is done being "woke" and called critical press coverage treason.
• He announced he is firing 20% of generals and admirals, judged on loyalty and whether they accept orders without question.
• A new religious affairs office will give chaplains a direct line to him, part of a Christian nationalist streak he has shown for years, including praise for the Crusades.
• He has cast the Iran war as blessed by God and dismissed the rules of engagement written after World War II as stupid.
• Meanwhile 10,000 more Marines and another carrier are heading to the Middle East, leaving US forces exposed to Iranian strikes.

Outlook: Expect another push for war with Iran after the midterms, with a thinner, more compliant officer corps left to question it.