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H.R. McMaster, retired Lieutenant General and former National Security Adviser under Donald Trump, appeared on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on September 29, 2024, to discuss his views on the U.S. military's involvement in partisan politics and rising tensions in the Middle East. McMaster is currently a CBS News contributor and the author of the new book, "At War With Ourselves." Unlike his colleague, retired General Stanley McChrystal, McMaster has refrained from endorsing any candidate in the upcoming presidential race.

McMaster explained that while he respects General McChrystal’s personal endorsement of Vice President Harris, he remains concerned about the military being dragged into partisan battles. "The military is doing its duties under the Constitution and for whoever's elected commander in chief," he stated. He emphasized that the military is neither "woke" nor "extremist," countering narratives from both political extremes.

When asked about the escalating situation between Israel and Iran, McMaster asserted that a state of war has effectively existed for decades, largely driven by Iran. He highlighted actions by Hezbollah, such as the launch of rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas following the heinous attacks of October 7, which led to the displacement of about 70,000 Israelis. McMaster affirmed Israel's response to these aggressions and advocated for increased U.S. support in pressuring Iran through financial sanctions and potential military means.

Discussing the role of the United States, McMaster urged for stronger measures, pointing out that Iran has supplied and trained proxy armies surrounding Israel. With 175 attacks on U.S. forces and installations by Iranian proxies since October 8 of the previous year, he argued that the U.S. should act decisively, suggesting all forms of military response be considered.

In terms of U.S.-Israel coordination, McMaster noted that Israel had not informed the U.S. in advance of its recent military operations for security reasons. He praised Israel's precision strikes against Hezbollah targets but emphasized the importance of discriminating firepower to minimize civilian casualties. He criticized Hezbollah and Hamas for deliberately putting civilians in harm's way to exploit their deaths for propaganda.

In conclusion, McMaster addressed former President Donald Trump’s claim of being able to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, expressing skepticism. He argued that any political settlement requires a favorable military outcome, urging continued U.S. support for Ukraine to convince Putin that he is losing the war.

McMaster’s insights come at a pivotal time when military strategy and political decision-making intersect, emphasizing the importance of informed, non-partisan discourse on national security issues.