Daniel Davis Deep Dive Merch: Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/DanielDavisDeepDive?ref=seller-platform-mcnav discussion centers on a provocative article claiming Russia has effectively won the war in Ukraine and NATO can't stop it, with former U.S. military advisor Col. Douglas Macgregor largely agreeing. Key points: Russia's Slow Advance Was Intentional: Macgregor argues that Putin has deliberately avoided full-scale aggression to prevent escalating into direct conflict with NATO or the U.S. He believes Putin still wants post-war diplomatic and economic relations with the West. NATO’s Power Overstated: The guest and the article assert that NATO would lose in a direct war with Russia, despite NATO’s public statements to the contrary. Shift in Russian Strategy: Following Ukrainian attacks on Russian military and civilian infrastructure, Russia has intensified airstrikes. There's speculation Putin may officially escalate the conflict from a “Special Military Operation” (SMO) to a “Counterterrorist Operation” (CTO), which under Russian law could justify targeting Ukrainian leadership. Zelensky Seen as a Barrier to Peace: Macgregor characterizes President Zelensky as irrational, detached from reality, and uninterested in peace—accusing him of prolonging the war for personal gain. Western Media Criticized: U.S. media, especially ABC News, is accused of failing to challenge Zelensky’s claims and promoting a pro-war narrative. Call for Russian Decisiveness: Macgregor suggests the war will only end when Russian forces take Kyiv and remove Zelensky’s government. He believes the U.S. and Europe are not in a position to respond militarily, so Putin should act decisively now. Overall Message: According to Macgregor and the article's author, Russia has strategically outmaneuvered Ukraine and NATO, and unless there's a dramatic change—like Russian troops taking Kyiv—the war will drag on needlessly.