Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing [The arguments here were written down well before recent developments in our cities.] Generational shift A cultural revolution has been underway for several years. In recent weeks it’s taken on a powerful and sweeping form. The beliefs of many people, liberal and conservative, are being denounced. It’s Read More …
Brian M Downing After several nights of protest and more importantly violence, the president has deployed military forces to Washington, DC and set the stage for sending troops to various cities as well. The move runs the risk of bringing greater violence but it may also put an end to Read More …
Brian M Downing Two weeks ago Americans were focusing on the primaries and fall election. The issues were climate change, healthcare, inequality, and immigration. Now, primaries are being postponed, the election is on the back burner, and there’s only one issue and pretty much only one politician on the stage. Read More …
Brian M Downing Covid-19 is taking a heavy toll around the world, but it will almost certainly subside in a few months. We will then confront a gravely weakened economy. Next months unemployment and GDP figures will be alarming, the ones in May will be appalling. A Federal Reserve Governor Read More …
Brian M Downing The politics and temperament of the emerging left-of-center majority are in place. There of course is no guarantee that they will be the same in a decade or so but a spirit of reconciliation or even civility isn’t likely to emerge, let alone prevail. The object of Read More …
Brian M Downing The US is more divided, polarized, and antagonistic than at any time since Lee handed his sword to Grant. Conflicts over history, sexual identity, spending priorities, toleration, speech, abortion, and gun control plague political institutions and public civility. Presidential elections are only rarely landslides these days and Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump has taken the extraordinary step of stepping into the military justice system. He has countermanded a demotion and granted clemency to military personnel convicted of war crimes. Further, he has delved more deeply into military administration by insisting that a convicted NCO be allowed to Read More …
Brian M Downing Candidate Trump campaigned on leaving the JCPOA and taking an aggressive stance toward Iran. President Trump has indeed left the JCPOA, reimposed sanctions, and supported Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria. Nonetheless, last summer he pulled back from launching strikes on Iran, which National Security Advisor Read More …
Brian M Downing Democratic presidential contenders have conducted four debates so far. On game show-like sets they gave their positions on healthcare, education, and other domestic issues. Spirited remarks, carefully crafted and tested by consultants, flew at the incumbent and each other. Despite the several hours of airtime almost nothing Read More …
Brian M Downing One of the most divisive decisions the Supreme Court has ever issued was Roe v Wade (1973). Brown v Board of Education (1954) was unpopular, especially in the South, but it was a unanimous decision and in time, and after federal troops were sent in, school integration Read More …