Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Douglas Macgregor: War Without Strategy - Venezuela Today, Iran Next
Jan 5, 2026
Douglas Macgregor, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and military strategist, discusses the chaotic state of U.S. foreign policy, particularly in Venezuela. He critiques the lack of coherent strategy under the Trump administration, calling actions impulsive and poorly executed. Macgregor also examines the outdated Monroe Doctrine and the failures of U.S. occupations without local support. He highlights the shift towards multipolarity, pointing to the Middle East, especially Iran, as the next potential conflict zone, linking U.S. financial fragility to increased war risks.
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No Coherent Strategy Guides Actions
- Douglas Macgregor argues the Trump administration lacks a coherent grand strategy and acts on impulse.
- He warns tactical successes without planning produce costly long occupations and uncertain outcomes.
Victory Declared Before A Plan
- Macgregor criticizes premature triumphalism, saying leaders declare victory before planning governance.
- He highlights Trump's 'we'll run it for a while' remark as evidence of lack of post-action planning.
Buying Compliance Over Strategy
- He suggests the Venezuela operation relied heavily on buying off potential opponents to avoid casualties.
- Macgregor notes avoiding casualties has become an overriding, but strategically hollow, priority.