Daniel Davis Deep Dive

Alastair Crooke, former British diplomat and MI6 officer turned Middle East strategist, explains why a conflict with Iran would be prolonged and costly. He discusses terrain and missile defenses, naval vulnerabilities and asymmetric maritime tactics. They also cover Iran’s mobilization logic, regional spillover risks, and the political and economic limits on a rapid military strike.

Glenn Diesen, a political science professor who analyzes Russia and European security, returns with sharp geopolitical perspective. He breaks down Ukraine's strategic weaknesses and what Russia might accept on borders. He discusses risks of US bilateral guarantees, repeating diplomatic cycles, Europe's role in prolonging the war, and the wider transatlantic fractures shaping future negotiations.

Daniel Davis describes secret recordings and donor remarks that sparked political controversy. He recounts being named in a senator's account and the fight over a senior national security appointment. He critiques Israeli leadership and argues about U.S. priorities. He explains limits on presidential military action and warns about erosion of congressional war powers.

Jacques Baud, retired Swiss intelligence and NATO officer known for strategic analysis, joins to dissect Iran’s posture and risks. He discusses U.S. carrier buildups, the limits of strikes, and why Tehran might retaliate against Israel rather than the U.S. Conversation shifts to NATO, Greenland’s strategic myths, European defense capacity, and how sanctions shape politics. Calls for legal advocacy wrap up the talk.

A week in global security: high-level talks in Abu Dhabi produce few concrete results. Massive Russian drone and aircraft activity tests Ukrainian defenses and targets. Rising U.S.-Iran tensions and possible strikes raise strategic and legal risks. Europe rethinks security ties amid U.S. unpredictability and debates economic nationalism and new cooperative approaches.

A breakdown of proposed Russia–US–Ukraine trilateral talks and what brought them to the table. Discussion of Russia’s four non‑negotiables and why earlier diplomatic chances were missed. Analysis of Western leverage, political pressures on Kyiv, and the stakes of possible territorial exchanges and political changes in Ukraine.

Ted Postol, MIT professor and missile systems expert, breaks down the Oreshnik ballistic weapon with sharp technical clarity. He explains why intercepting it in powered flight is nearly impossible. He details launch profiles, submunition design and dispersal, and how hypersonic impacts create blast-like effects without needing explosives.

Dive into the intriguing dynamics of Trump's ambitious Davos 'Board of Peace.' Explore critiques of his rhetoric and cognitive fitness as well as missing major powers and the board's reliance on personality over institutions. Discover how unilateral control and a military focus undermine effective diplomacy. Davis highlights case studies, including Greenland and Gaza, showing the challenges of achieving meaningful peace. Ultimately, he argues the board is more about optics than lasting solutions.

Explore the intriguing dynamics of defense budgets and their link to conflict. The discussion highlights the questionable composition of Trump's peace board and the criticism of turning military priorities over to tech billionaires. Insights reveal how the military-industrial complex may favor wealthy interests while risking critical knowledge gaps. Listen for warnings about rising costs, technological obsolescence, and the potential consequences of high U.S. debt on military power. A compelling argument emerges for a return to the rule of law as a path to genuine security.

Patrick Henningsen, a geopolitical analyst and founder of 21stCenturyWire.com, dives into significant shifts revealed at Davos. He explores Trump's speech and the emerging great power rivalry, emphasizing the implications for middle powers. Henningsen critiques Canada's shifting ties away from the U.S. and the potential for de-dollarization among allies. He also discusses Europe's concerns over U.S. tariffs, NATO's role as a protection racket, and the risks of conflict with Iran. A thought-provoking conversation on the new geopolitical landscape!