Hung Cao’s military experience qualifies him to lead the Navy during the Iran war

The armed conflict between the United States and Iran and the political fight it set off at home, from strikes and the naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz to negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. Debated through war powers, munitions stocks and household costs.

Bicameral federal legislature of the United States, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which writes law, controls federal spending and oversees the executive branch. Its two chambers represent states and districts on different terms and hold different constitutional powers.

The goals, strategies, and tools of United States foreign policy as set by the president, Congress, and executive agencies, including alliances, sanctions, war powers, diplomacy, and the political debates over America's role in the world.

Defence of a state against external and internal threats, spanning intelligence services, military operations, counterterrorism and the classification of information. Covers the tension between secrecy and oversight, and the agencies whose work is largely conducted beyond public view.

The policies, political debates, and institutional decisions shaping how the United States engages with Iran, from diplomacy and sanctions to military and congressional action.

Acting secretary since April, when John Phelan was ousted after clashing with Pete Hegseth, Hung Cao was nominated on 1 September to hold the post permanently. A Vietnamese refugee and former naval officer, he was confirmed as undersecretary last October.