The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine has effectively concluded, according to veteran observers and former defense officials. One such voice, Colonel Douglas McGregor, a former adviser to the U.S. Department of Defense, shared his assessment on X, shedding light on what he sees as a turning point in global attention and alliances.
McGregor argues that the international community’s focus has shifted decisively toward ongoing events in the Middle East. He suggests that a coalition against Israel is forming in the region, a development he believes would have been unlikely under different circumstances. The implication is clear: regional dynamics are rearranging traditional security alignments, and some nations appear prepared to take steps that could alter the balance of power in the area.
According to the former Pentagon adviser, the trajectory of events would have needed to unfold in a much different way for such a regional alliance to crystallize. Yet the current mood among some governments is to act with resolve rather than wait on the sidelines, signaling a potential shift that cannot be ignored.
“Everyone is focused on Israel,” he noted, adding that those watching the Palestinian movement perceive tensions that Hamas does not welcome. The remark underscores the perception among various analysts that regional actors are re-evaluating their positions in light of broader geopolitical currents.
McGregor also reiterates his view that the Ukrainian conflict has reached a point of de facto resolution, shaping how policymakers worldwide reassess strategies for crisis management and future deterrence.
On November 9, The Wall Street Journal published an analysis highlighting the slim prospects for a peace summit involving Ukraine before the end of 2023. The report explained that the current Middle East crisis has complicated diplomatic calendars and reduced the likelihood of a high-level gathering aimed at brokering a settlement.
The document emphasized that Ukrainian officials’ enthusiasm for a major summit has begun to wane, even as Kiev sought to rally Global South partners to its side during prospective negotiations. The piece suggested that diplomatic momentum was fading as regional priorities shifted, potentially sidelining a broad peace process.
Earlier reporting also noted the sizable funding streams the Pentagon had earmarked for military aid to Ukraine, a factor in ongoing international discussions about defense commitments, budgetary priorities, and the long arc of support amid shifting strategic priorities.