Douglas Macgregor warns: The Pentagon is heading for a war that has no way out

• uncut-news.ch 23 May 2026.

In a tumultuous conversation with justice Andrew Napolitano, Colonel Douglas Macgregor presents a grim image of the current US strategy towards Iran, Israel and the mediate East. Macgregor is convinced that Washington has long been following a dangerous escalation path, from which Donald Trump can no longer find a way out to keep his face.

The erstwhile Pentagon advisor believes that the thought that Iran can be forced to surrender by raids, “decaptional shocks” or economical force can be forced into danger. Instead, it warns against a disaster that will have disastrous effects on the planet economy, energy supply and military stableness of the United States itself.

A secret agreement with Iran – is this the last hope before the conflict?

At the beginning of the talks, Napolitano and Macgregor discuss reports of an alleged draft comprehensive agreement between the US and Iran. According to these reports, an immediate ceasefire would happen “on all fronts”, freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Ormuz would be guaranteed and sanctions would be gradually abolished.

Macgregor considers this proposal to be fundamentally probable and "reasonable", at least from the position of the US and Iran. However, the real problem is Israel – specifically Benjamin Netanyahu.

Macgregor is clear on 1 point: A real ceasefire would inevitably affect Gaza and Lebanon. That's why he doesn't believe Netanyahu would always agree to it. On the contrary, he claims that the Prime Minister of Israel has repeatedly sabotaged peace or negotiated solutions whenever it seemed to be approaching a rapprochement between Washington and Tehran.

Especially explosive: Macgregor refers to reports of an highly tense telephone conversation between Trump and Netanjah. The Israeli Prime Minister is said to have been “metaphoricly in flames” after this conversation. Moreover, rumors are circulating that Netanjahu intends to go back to Washington – as in erstwhile situations, erstwhile diplomatic close-ups abruptly collapsed.

“Who actually rules the United States?”

One of the key moments of the interview is erstwhile Napolitano quotes Trump's message that Netanyahu will “do what I want.” Macgregor answers the fundamental question:

“Who actually rules the United States?”

For Macgregor, the issue of power in Washington is no longer democratically settled. It describes a strategy of interest groups, lobbying structures and networks of influences that are increasingly clouding the authoritative government. Historically, it compares the current situation to an era of large railroad magnates after the civilian War, erstwhile industrialists specified as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and Carnegie decided who would become president.

According to Macgregor, the current corruption in Washington is "at least as large as always in American history."

Epstein, Mossad and political blackmail

The conversation becomes peculiarly turbulent erstwhile Macgregor addresses the question of the alleged Epstein Act. Openly, he speculates that many influential people in Washington are susceptible to blackmail utilizing compromising materials and so are under the influence of Israel.

Macgregor cites statements by erstwhile CIA worker John Kiriakou, and suggests that Mossad has extended force on political elites.

This passage belongs to the most controversial statements in the full interview and shows how deep distrust is in any circles of the American safety establishment.

Iran stronger than before the attacks

Contrary to the authoritative version of Washington, Macgregor claims that Iran is now militaryly stronger than before the fresh American-Israeli attacks.

He cites leaked CIA information indicating that about 90 percent of Iran's military possible remains intact. It claims that Iran's allegedly "destroyed" threat inactive exists almost entirely.

Moreover, Russia and China are massively supplying Iran with fresh weapons, missiles, radar systems and air defence technologies. fresh Chinese manoeuvring missiles over 300 kilometres and close hypersonic speeds are peculiarly dangerous, specially designed to destruct large warships.

Macgregor clearly praises Iranian engineering capabilities. After all conflict with Israel or the United States, Iran analysed its weaknesses and returned again "more deadly, better prepared and more competent".

Illusion of decapitation

The essence of the interview is the strategy of the alleged "decaptional clashes" – that is, attacks involving decapitations of leadership structures.

Macgregor believes that the view that political objectives can only be achieved by raids is simply a historical misunderstanding. It points to the war in Kosovo in 1999, erstwhile NATO bombed Serbia for more than 78 days, yet failed to accomplish its military goals.

Serbia's withdrawal was not forced by bombings, but by Russia's withdrawal of support.

Nevertheless, a large part of the U.S. Air Force's command inactive believes that "it is adequate to bomb harder" to yet force the enemy to break down.

Macgregor powerfully disagrees: Iran will not surrender.

Trump at the California Hotel

Macgregor describes Trump as trapped in an escalation spiral. A friend told him:

‘Trump checked into the California Hotel – you can check in, but you cannot check out.”

Trump is desperately looking for an exit, an exit that would let him to save his face. But due to the fact that he desperately wants to be a political winner, he is increasingly inclined towards the eventual escalation.

Macgregor so believes that if a diplomatic solution is not found, Trump will yet flee to violent force.

Hormus: Washington's most dangerous illusion

Macgregor is peculiarly critical of Trump's claim that the US has “full control” over the Strait of Ormuz and that Iran is virtually powerless.

Macgregor calls these statements “nonsensim”.

In fact, Iranian forces continued to escort ships and control the region. The thought of complete American domination is pure propaganda.

It is even more alarming that, according to Macgregor, if the war escalated again, Iran would deliberately destruct the energy infrastructure of the Gulf states, including oil facilities and desalination facilities in the United arabian Emirates.

The consequences would be dramatic:

• a immense energy crisis
• Breakdown of water supply
• Depopulation of full regions
• global economical shocks

Macgregor repeatedly stressed that repairing harm in the Gulf would last for years.

China, Taiwan and the fall of American illusions

The assessment of Trump's fresh visit to China by Macgregor was amazingly positive. Xi Jinping has made it clear to Trump that the war on Taiwan cannot be won militarily.

Then Trump first admitted publically that
Taiwan lies only 100 miles from China, while the United States is thousands of kilometres away.

Macgregor considers this message a uncommon minute of strategical implementation.

Pentagon under political control

In the final part of the interview, Macgregor brutally criticizes American military command.

The four-star generals are increasingly becoming political actors who primarily support the programs of politicians who promoted them.

He peculiarly attacks erstwhile CENTCOM commander, General Kurilla, whom he describes as the actual political ally of Netanyahu.

Macgregor warns against the military-industrial complex described by Dwight Eisenhower. High-ranking military officers are rewarded after service with lucrative positions in investment firms or arms companies – in exchange for political loyalty during an active career.

The real problem: Americans barely announcement that there is simply a war going on.

Finally, Macgregor presents his darkest observation:

Most Americans barely noticed that their country de facto sank into a fresh war.

Until thousands of American soldiers die, society will stay indifferent and dispersed. That's why wars can last for years – like Vietnam utilized to.

For Macgregor this is the top threat:
a permanent state of war without public interest, without democratic control and without a clear strategical objective.