Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Reviewed by Brian M Downing Directed by Martin Ritt and written by Elmore Leonard. 10/10 I had not seen this in fifty years until the other night. Memorable though it was in my youth, I wondered if it would hold up. It certainly does. Paul Newman plays John Russell, a Read More …
Brian M Downing Political equilibrium Afghanistan has never been a unified country with common beliefs, identity, and trust in national institutions – and it never will be. The country comprises a handful of sizable tribal confederations and ethnic groups and a slew of smaller ones who mistrust and often loathe Read More …
Brian M Downing The Taliban are seizing district after district, border crossing after border crossing. Major cities are increasingly cut off from one another and sieges loom. Government forces are holding up only because of Afghan special forces and American airpower. The former are stretched thin and the latter are Read More …
The Biden administration is pulling out of Afghanistan. It should have been done ten years ago when it was clear the effort was lost. We were hoping for the best and now must prepare for the worst. The question of who lost Afghanistan, like everything in Washington, will be handled Read More …
Brian M Downing Mark Twain noted that events rhymed, but not all recurrences are as pleasing as poetic couplets. Many are poorly constructed, graceless, violent, and tragic. The Vietnam War did grave damage to American beliefs and institutions. Population pressures, police blunders, a polarizing president, and ossified political parties have Read More …
Brian M Downing The Taliban appear unstoppable and Kabul is in trouble. Districts are falling one after the other and the army may disintegrate into ethnic militias, warlord bands, and roving bands. Kabul will face siege in a few months. That raises worries about the US embassy. It became immense Read More …
Brian M Downing As more districts fall concerns mount as to what will become of the country. One of more alarming claims, one used in calls for the US to reconsider withdrawal, is that it will become a sanctuary for al Qaeda and ISIL. The view here has long been Read More …
Brian M Downing As the US continues to withdraw, the Taliban is making alarming advances. ANA outposts are falling, often with little if any resistance, several districts are going over to Taliban control, and nooses are tightening around major cities. The situation will continue to deteriorate. US air power, advisors, Read More …
Brian M Downing The results are in and the hardliners have won. That’s hardly surprising as a guardian council narrowed the field to a handful of hardliners. It’s as though all American candidates were chosen by Red or Blue apparatchiks. Low turnout did not help the reform movement. The winner Read More …
Brian M Downing Candidate Trump talked about ending interminable wars in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. President Trump was so determined to get troops out of Syria that he ordered a pullout twice. The troops are still there. President Biden has ordered a complete pullout from Afghanistan by September 11th of Read More …