Hegseth: Firepower Over Iran About To "Surge Dramatically"

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled that the war with Iran will soon escalate, saying quote "we have just begun." For its part, Israel said it is moving into the “next phase” of its joint offensive with the U.S., while Iran continues to strike at countries in the region. Plus, the firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and everything that may have brought her down, including her own ads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a new wave of attacks, Israel says it’s hitting targets in Tehran as well as against what it claims is Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut. And, according to state-affiliated media, Iran launched a drone attack on an Amazon data center in Bahrain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two big stories tonight: war and politics. A fourth consequential night in the war with Iran, and we have seen a new Iranian drone strike on another American diplomatic outpost, the second in the last two days.  And here at home, polls have started closing in Texas where a U.S. Senate primary race, in that ordinarily deep-red state, is getting a lot of attention from Democrats looking to turn the Senate blue in November. Air date: March 3, 2026 Guests: Rep. Adam Smith Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.)John King  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A senior U.S. official has told CNN's Jim Sciutto that American forces are preparing for a quote “major uptick” in attacks on Iran over the next 24 hours. Also, a strike on the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia by two suspected Iranian drones, the latest in a wave of reprisals across the region. Analysts and correspondents from around the Middle East join Anderson with the latest in CNN's Global Report War with Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today Bill Clinton told lawmakers, under oath, about what he saw, and did, during his time with Jeffrey Epstein. It is the first time ever, a former president has been compelled to testify under oath to Congress. In his historic deposition he denied having any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Also, fact-checking the claim made by President Trump and by Republicans on the House Oversight committee that Trump has been exonerated.  And President Trump tries to pull the plug on Anthropic, telling all federal agencies to stop using its artificial intelligence after Anthropic's CEO stands up to pressure from the Pentagon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hillary Clinton wrapped up more than six hours of testimony for the House Oversight Committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, in proceedings one Democratic member called a "clown show.” Mrs. Clinton said she's confident her husband had no knowledge of Epstein's crimes. Former president Bill Clinton testifies tomorrow. Plus, almost a month since she last saw her mom, we have new information on Savannah Guthrie's decision to return to the “Today" show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Missing records from the Epstein files and the unverified allegations they apparently contain about the president. Plus, new backwash from the FBI director's beer-chugging trip to the Winter Olympics, and what a whistleblower is saying about his use of the bureau's private jets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preview of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address and the Democratic response with Anderson Cooper, Jake Tapper, and CNN’s team of political analysts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What the president will say tomorrow night about the State of the Union, and what Americans are already saying, in brutal new polling, about the state of his presidency. Plus, Mexico and the Americans stranded in what was a vacation paradise, until a drug lord's killing by the government set off a fiery campaign of revenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court rules that the President's tariffs are illegal. His response is to sign a ten percent tariff on every country on earth. Former Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, retired federal Judge John E. Jones III, and CNN Chief Legal Affairs Paula Reid discuss how that squares with the law. Plus, incredible footage from southern California of surfers and swimmers who often have no idea they're surprisingly close to great white sharks, yet they don't attack.  Researchers are trying to figure out why.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices