Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Douglas Macgregor: Russia, China & Iran Seek to Contain U.S. Military
Feb 4, 2026
Douglas Macgregor, retired U.S. Army colonel and strategic commentator, discusses shifting military alliances and deterrence. He explores Russia’s operations in Ukraine and strategic aims. He outlines growing Russia‑China military alignment and Iran’s retaliatory options. He assesses U.S. force limits, likely campaign timelines, and regional escalation risks involving Turkey and Arab states.
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Russia's Cauldron Battles And Strategic Options
- Russia is executing large encirclement battles in southeastern Ukraine and tightening a cauldron around Ukrainian forces.
- Strategic options Moscow considers include Odessa, Kharkov, and ultimately Kiev if patience with Europe runs out.
Russia–China Strategic Reinforcement
- Russia and China see themselves as continental fortresses and are pooling military and economic resources to deter the United States.
- They increasingly view the U.S. as an unstable existential threat prompting deeper strategic cooperation.
Domestic Lobbies Shape U.S. Foreign Policy
- Domestic lobbies and financial interests heavily shape U.S. Middle East policy, especially regarding Israel and Cuba.
- These domestic constituencies drive interventions that fuel Russian and Chinese suspicions about U.S. intentions.