Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The American effort in Afghanistan has been dragging on for almost two decades. It’s generally comprehended as a conflict between the US and government forces on the one hand and the Taliban on the other. Over the last ten years, however, the war has become much Read More …
Director: J Blakeson Starring: Rosamunde Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Dianne Wiest 7/10 Though labeled a dark comedy, the humor is so low-key and intermittent that the film’s more of a psychological thriller and action film. Marla Grayson is a lawyer who’s built a lucrative business out of placing people Read More …
Director: Chloé Zhao Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn 9/10 Well made semi-documentary of a woman from a small Nevada town that’s disappearing after a mine closing. The USPS has dropped its Zip Code. She lives in her van and travels to places where she does short term work. One such Read More …
Brian M Downing Rapprochement or revenge? Iran wants sanctions relief but there’s presently a good deal of diplomatic folderol in the way. Iran wants the sanctions lifted immediately and will return to JCPOA enrichment levels later. The US wants to hold off lifting sanctions until Iran complies with the JCPOA. Read More …
Brian M Downing Donald Trump came to office four years ago determined to gravely weaken Iran. He promptly withdrew from the JCPOA and imposed harsh sanctions. At times airstrikes seemed imminent. His foreign policy, however, was erratic, incoherent, and unsuccessful, whether toward Iran, Venezuela, N Korea, or even China. All Read More …
Brian M Downing Long game Mohammed bin Salman may opt to slow down the Yemen war, use his and allies’ clout in Washington, and hope to change Biden’s position – or wait him out and hope for a more sympathetic president in a few years. No war, no peace. Support Read More …
Brian M Downing Mohammed bin Salman can’t be happy. A new administration in Washington is pausing support for his war in Yemen. Presidents Obama and Trump supported him, with varying levels of enthusiasm, but those days are over. The Biden administration is signaling a stronger stance on human rights. That Read More …
Brian M Downing Western policies can weaken the Russian economy. Speeches and broadcasts can underscore Putin’s accumulation of Romanov-like wealth. The West can also point out problems with his China alignment and the concentration of power in his hands. What comes after him, a smooth succession or years of tumult Read More …
Brian M Downing The US has been involved in the long war in Yemen since it erupted in 2015. The Obama administration supported the Saudi-Emirati forces who backed the southern Sunnis against the northern Shia. It did so out of concern that amid the chaos AQ and ISIL were finding Read More …
Brian M Downing Containment II An obvious response to Putin is to strengthen the system of alliances and bases that surrounded the old Soviet Union. George F Kennan called for containment in his 1947 Foreign Policy article. NATO, SEATO, CENTO, and the rearmament of Germany quickly followed. Kennan, however, came Read More …