Defense Priorities Defense Priorities
  • Policy Topics
    • Israel-Iran
    • Ukraine-Russia
    • NATO
    • China
    • Syria
  • Research
    • Briefs
    • Explainers
    • Reports
  • Programs
    • Grand Strategy Program
    • Military Analysis Program
    • Asia Program
    • Middle East Program
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Media
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • People
    • Jobs
    • Contact
  • Donate
Select Page
Home / Ukraine-Russia / Swamp Chronicles: Dan Caldwell on restraint and a second Trump administration
Ukraine‑Russia, Counterterrorism, Grand strategy, Iraq, Israel‑Hamas, Middle East

September 26, 2024

Swamp Chronicles: Dan Caldwell on restraint and a second Trump administration

Aslı Aydıntaşbaş and Jeremy Shapiro welcome Dan Caldwell to discuss why a second Donald Trump administration will likely involve personnel more aligned with the ‘restrainer’ movement.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

For the fourth episode of ECFR’s Swamp Chronicles, Aslı Aydıntaşbaş and Jeremy Shapiro talk to Dan Caldwell, public policy advisor at Defense Priorities, about the American foreign policy restrainer movement, the future of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the importance of Trump’s choice of personnel for his potential second administration.

Caldwell examines the impact of America’s recent foreign policy failures on the restrainer movement, the movement’s future, and whether Trump himself is a restrainer. Caldwell also discusses his belief that a second Trump administration will pursue policies closely aligned to the restrainer movement and be filled with new personnel who are more aligned with this ideology than during his first four-year term.

Featuring

Dan
Caldwell

Former Public Policy Advisor

Defense Priorities

More on Europe

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

How Trump’s 50-day deadline threat against Putin will backfire

By Jennifer Kavanagh

July 15, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Vladimir Putin’s conduct causes Donald Trump to have a change of heart on Ukraine

By Daniel DePetris

July 15, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Military analysis

Will Trump’s shift on arming Ukraine help end Russia’s invasion? Experts weigh in

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

July 15, 2025

In the mediaUkraine‑Russia, Military analysis

Behind Trump’s tough Russia talk, doubts and missing details

Featuring Jennifer Kavanagh

July 14, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

What Trump’s Ukraine aid pause says about America’s broken foreign policy

By Daniel DePetris

July 14, 2025

op-edUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Trump is turning ‘Biden’s war’ into his own

By Daniel DePetris

July 14, 2025

Events on Ukraine-Russia

See All Events
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Air power, Diplomacy, Drones, Europe and Eurasia, Land power, Military analysis, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Ukraine’s critical choice: Pursue peace or fight on

April 16, 2025
virtualUkraine‑Russia, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine

Past Virtual Event: Trump and Ukraine: Prolonging or ending the war

December 13, 2024
virtualNATO, Alliances, Europe and Eurasia, Russia, Ukraine, Ukraine‑Russia

Past Virtual Event: A ‘bridge’ to NATO or false hope for Ukraine?

July 12, 2024

Receive expert foreign policy analysis

Join the hub of realism and restraint

Expert updates and analysis to enhance your understanding of vital U.S. national security issues

Defense Priority Mono Logo

Our mission is to inform citizens, thought leaders, and policymakers of the importance of a strong, dynamic military—used more judiciously to protect America’s narrowly defined national interests—and promote a realistic grand strategy prioritizing restraint, diplomacy, and free trade to ensure U.S. security.

  • About
  • For Media
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact
© 2025 Defense Priorities All Right Reserved