CENTCOM Launches Podcast With Adm. Brad Cooper
U.S. Central Command debuted "Inside CENTCOM," with its first full episode featuring its leader, Adm. Brad Cooper.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military
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U.S. Central Command, the military headquarters running the Iran war, debuted a podcast called "Inside CENTCOM" on Thursday. The first full episode features Adm. Brad Cooper, the command's leader, in conversation with host Fleet Master Chief Lateef Compton.
Why it matters
The podcast gives the public a direct look at the leadership of the command overseeing U.S. military operations in the Middle East during an ongoing conflict. Its light-hearted first episode focused on topics other than the war.
The war in the command's area of responsibility is in its eighth month, according to the extraction. Former Rep. Elaine Luria, a retired Navy commander, has known and served with Cooper for 25 years, but the source does not indicate how the podcast will address the conflict in future episodes.
The players
U.S. Central Command
The U.S. military headquarters responsible for operations in the Middle East, currently running the Iran war.
Adm. Brad Cooper
The leader of U.S. Central Command, featured as the guest of the podcast's first full episode.
Lateef Compton
A Fleet Master Chief who hosted the first episode of the "Inside CENTCOM" podcast.
The details
The first episode included small talk about French fries, basketball, and life aboard ships. Host Fleet Master Chief Lateef Compton called Cooper "the original fry guy," and Cooper said he plans to be a professional free throw shooter after retiring.
Timeline
Thursday: "Inside CENTCOM" podcast debuted with its first full episode.
Season Trajectory
The launch of a public podcast comes as the war in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility enters its eighth month. Ryan Evans, founder of War on the Rocks, warned that the country might be on the eve of a renewal of major combat operations.
The podcast offers the public an unfiltered look at the command leadership managing U.S. military operations abroad. Listeners can follow the episodes as the command releases further content about its work.
The takeaway
The podcast offers a window into how a senior commander presents himself to the public during a prolonged conflict. Readers can follow future episodes to see whether the command addresses the war directly.
Further reading
For more on the U.S. armed forces and their operations, see the Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Raw Story.
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