The Tom Woods Show
Ep. 2622 The Foreign Policy War in the Trump White House
Mar 22, 2025
Kelley Vlahos, Senior Advisor at the Quincy Institute, dives into the tumultuous foreign policy debates within the Trump administration. She highlights the conflict between interventionists and advocates for realism, exemplified by the rejection of Lt. Col. Daniel Davis. The conversation emphasizes the importance of dissenting voices and the challenges they face. Vlahos also discusses the implications of a potential second Trump term, particularly on U.S. relations with Ukraine and Israel, calling for a more restrained and thoughtful approach to foreign policy.
49:25
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Quick takeaways
- The conflict within the Trump White House reveals an ongoing struggle between interventionist and restrained foreign policy perspectives, exemplified by Lt. Col. Daniel Davis's criticism of military leadership.
- Trump's presidency has prompted a significant shift among conservatives towards questioning military interventions, fostering grassroots support for a more realistic and restrained foreign policy approach.
Deep dives
Daniel Davis as a Truth Teller
Daniel Davis, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, has become a significant figure for his outspoken critiques of U.S. foreign policy, particularly after his experiences in Afghanistan. His article in the Armed Forces Journal claimed that military leaders were misleading the public about the war's progress, which garnered both admiration and criticism. Despite his military credentials, Davis faced backlash and professional ostracism for his honesty, highlighting the challenges faced by military personnel when challenging the status quo. His situation reflects a broader reluctance within the military establishment to embrace dissenting views, particularly on interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
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