Daniel Davis Deep Dive

• Putin & NATO: Both Want WAR /Col Doug Macgregor

  The discussion with Col. Douglas Macgregor explores rising tensions that suggest a growing risk of broader war between NATO and Russia, despite both sides claiming to seek deterrence. Putin has launched a new domestic mobilization campaign called the People’s Front, signaling a shift toward full-scale war preparation in Russia. While his rhetoric frames it as a civil unity movement, many Russians—including within his inner circle—are frustrated with the prolonged nature of the Ukraine conflict and expect total national mobilization to finish it decisively.Macgregor argues that Russia’s economy has adapted well to sanctions, and although the war has taken longer than expected, Russian losses are relatively low compared to Ukraine’s, which he claims have reached catastrophic levels (allegedly 1.7–1.8 million dead, though this number is highly controversial and not corroborated by independent sources).Beyond Ukraine, Russia faces new strategic problems in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijan, once a Russian ally, is now aligned with Israel, Turkey, and the U.S., and may be preparing to invade northwestern Iran—potentially triggering ethnic unrest among Azeris in Iran. Azerbaijan is also reportedly hosting Western intelligence operations (Mossad, CIA, MI6) targeting Iran. This threatens Iran’s internal stability and could lead to a new regional war.Meanwhile, Erdogan’s Turkey is pursuing its own ambitions in Syria and Lebanon, sometimes cooperating with Israel but with diverging goals. Russia, focused on Ukraine, may have lost control over its southern flank, creating a wider regional instability involving Iran, Israel, Turkey, and Syria. Macgregor suggests Moscow now realizes the urgency of ending the Ukraine war to reassert control over its broader strategic position.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• More Patriot Missiles for Ukraine on the Way? /Lt Col Daniel Davis

  Earlier this week, the U.S. announced it would stop sending 155mm artillery shells and air defense missiles to Ukraine. However, President Trump now appears to be reconsidering, saying the U.S. might send more Patriot interceptors after all. This comes amid ongoing, intense Russian air attacks — including recent strikes near Kyiv — that have overwhelmed Ukraine's limited air defenses.Trump acknowledged the need for these interceptors, calling them effective, but also downplayed expectations, admitting that a few missiles won’t change the war’s outcome. He cited recent attacks involving over 1,000 Russian drones and missiles in just two days — far beyond what Ukraine’s current defenses can handle. The U.S. can only produce about 600 interceptors per month, highlighting the scale of the problem.In public comments, Trump emphasized that he doesn’t want to see more people die but repeatedly framed the war as “Biden’s deal,” suggesting he may be positioning himself to step back from deeper U.S. involvement. His language lacked firm commitment, hinting that while he might send aid or enforce sanctions, he's unsure it will matter.He also referenced recent calls with both Putin (on July 3) and Zelensky (on July 4), calling the latter “very strategic.” On sanctions, Trump noted ongoing Senate efforts but cast doubt on their effectiveness, saying Russia has become largely sanctions-proof.Overall, Trump seems increasingly pragmatic and reluctant, signaling a potential shift back to a strategy of disengagement if he believes the conflict is unwinnable or politically costly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Trump Admits: PUTIN's NOT STOPPING /Lt Col Daniel Davis

  Trump Admits: PUTIN's NOT STOPPING /Lt Col Daniel DavisSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• NATO, Russia U.S. MILITARY BUDGETS /Lt Col Daniel Davis & Dr. Gilbert Doctorov

  The conversation opens with a reflection on how the Russia-Ukraine war can appear, at a glance, to have devolved into a financial and bureaucratic contest—focused on who’s spending the most, hiring the most contractors, or making the best deals. But the reality remains: there is still a brutal war occurring, with real human cost, suffering, and military progress on the ground.Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, historian and author of War Diaries Part One: Russia-Ukraine War 2022–2023, joins Daniel Davis to give insight into how the war unfolded and how the West has misunderstood many of its elements.Key Points:Initial Expectations and Misjudgments:Most analysts (including the author) expected the war to end quickly, given Russia’s initial advantage.Russia did not conduct a "shock and awe" campaign like the U.S. typically does; instead, it tried to limit damage and casualties, assuming it would eventually have to live peacefully with Ukrainians again.This restraint was mistaken in the West as weakness.Western vs. Russian Military Thinking:Western wars, especially in the Middle East, often lacked cultural ties or concern for civilian life.In contrast, Russia and Ukraine share centuries of familial, cultural, and historical ties, which influenced early Russian military conduct.2014 and the Crimea Precedent:In 2014, during the Crimea standoff, Ukrainian troops largely surrendered or defected.Russia expected a similar reaction in 2022, misjudging how much the Ukrainian military had changed, especially due to U.S. and UK training and ideological hardening.Ukrainian Resistance:By 2022, Ukraine had a motivated and ideologically-driven military, with radical nationalist elements like the Azov Battalion integrated into its formal forces.These changes made a quick Russian victory impossible.Intelligence Failures:Russia significantly underestimated Ukrainian resistance.The U.S. overestimated how quickly Russia would take over.Peace Talks and Zelensky’s Position:Early on, Zelensky publicly entertained the idea of neutrality (non-NATO status), which was Russia’s core demand.Negotiations in Belarus and Istanbul showed promise, with draft agreements emerging by April 2022.However, Zelensky’s position soon hardened, possibly due to Western influence, and meaningful talks stalled.Dr. Doctorow expresses skepticism about taking Zelensky’s statements at face value, suggesting political maneuvering.About the Book:War Diaries is not a conventional military history but a personal journalistic account.It includes rare insights from trips to Russia during the war—a period when most Western journalists had left due to COVID or legal fears.Doctorow had access via a humanitarian visa (his wife is Russian), giving him a unique on-the-ground perspective.Conclusion:The war has been deeply misunderstood in the West due to assumptions about how wars are fought, underestimation of Russia’s strategy, and overreliance on propaganda. Doctorow’s book offers a ground-level narrative of how those expectations clashed with the messy, prolonged, and politically complex reality of the war.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Russia Ramps Up Offensive Ukraine Scrambles Since Losing U.S. Aid /Lt Col Daniel Davis & Patrik Baab

  Russia is intensifying its offensive against Ukraine, while Ukraine is struggling with dwindling ammunition supplies following the U.S. cutting some aid. Meanwhile, Western political elites are seen as disconnected from the war’s harsh realities, continuing to act as though their policies are working. On the ground, Ukrainian troops are suffering heavy casualties and steadily losing territory to Russia.Key Points from Interview with Journalist Patrick Bob:Isolation Strategy Failing: The West's attempt to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically has failed. Russia remains well-connected globally, especially with countries in Africa, Asia, and South America. Over 150 UN member states still cooperate with Russia.Western Decline, Eastern Rise: Economic power is shifting to East Asia (e.g., Singapore, Hong Kong). Russia’s economy is growing (reportedly 4% GDP growth), while Western economies, particularly Germany’s, are shrinking under the weight of their own sanctions.Sanctions Backfiring: Western sanctions against Russia are hurting European economies more than Russia. These sanctions have turned into a boomerang, especially as Russia is resource-rich and self-sufficient.Dollar Dominance Declining: Many countries are moving away from the U.S. dollar in trade, weakening America’s ability to fund its military spending through debt and inflation exportation.Budget Strain and NATO Goals Unrealistic: Western countries, including Germany, are unlikely to meet NATO's 5% defense spending targets due to already strained budgets. This would force deep cuts to social programs, likely causing civil unrest.Internal Western Fractures: Some European leaders (e.g., Slovakia’s Robert Fico) oppose further sanctions on Russia due to domestic costs like rising energy prices, showing growing disunity within the West.Trump's Strategy: The Trump team doesn't seek peace so much as to shift the financial and military burden of the Ukraine war onto Europe, further stressing transatlantic relations.Grim Forecast for Ukraine: Ukraine's military lines are overstretched and weakening. The interview suggests Ukraine's front may collapse soon, and predicts Germany could become a direct participant in the war, making it a target for Russian retaliation.Wider Implications: With reports of U.S. coordination of the war from German soil, the risk of escalation and broader European involvement is increasing. The interview ends on a warning that Germany might be the "next" to suffer the consequences of this conflict.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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