Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia and Russia have failed to agree on production cuts to counter the effect of COVID-19 on oil markets. Putin wanted low prices to cripple the American shale oil industry which is barely profitable and deep in hock. MBS, on the other hand, wanted higher prices Read More …
Brian M Downing Over the weekend the young crown prince ordered the arrest of more of his relatives. He claimed they were plotting against him. The move might stem from the paranoia autocratic rulers are given to. Stalin went after Trotsky, even after he was in exile and no longer Read More …
Brian M Downing Iranian reformers over the years have repeatedly mounted courageous demonstrations against the mullahs and generals who’ve been in charge since 1979. Determined young people, mainly urban-dwellers, took to the streets after the fraudulent 2009 election, after price hikes, and other tines as well. They’ve been shot down Read More …
Brian M Downing On-and-off talks between the US and the Taliban have brought a temporary reduction in hostilities and the prospect of US troop withdrawals and more substantive peace talks. Kabul is balking, fighting flares here and there, but there’s room for optimism that we can finally be rid of Read More …
Brian M Downing Turkey has moved troops into Syria in recent years. It has done so mainly to intimidate Syrian Kurds, though Erdogan wins power prestige along the way. Most recently, he occupied a stretch of land in the northeast, after the US obligingly pulled back. Syria wants the US Read More …
Brian M Downing The elderly but tireless Vermont senator is in the lead for the Democratic nomination. A better picture will emerge next week after 15 more states will have voted. Foreign policy has barely crept into the campaign, even though it’s been underway for a year now. How would Read More …
Brian M Downing The Taliban and American forces are reducing operations, preparing for more serious negotiations. Warfare has been continuous since 1979 and peace has been elusive. Even before the US helped expel the Taliban in 2002, the Taliban was fighting the Northern Alliance and a handful of insurgencies. All Read More …
Director: Quentin Tarantino Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt 8/10 I don’t care for Tarantino films but I wanted to see this one because of its setting in the decade I grew up in (or failed to grow up in). The film pleasingly uses LA’s hit radio, television, movies, cars, Read More …
Brian M Downing The situation in Iraq is worsening. The government is unpopular and struggling to form a coalition amid public unrest from militias, young people, and a burgeoning women’s movement. And the US and Iran are staring each other down there, at least when the issue comes to the Read More …
Director: Chan-wook Park (not the director of Parasite, in case you were wondering) 8/10This S Korean film presents a complicated story of a three-way con job involving a man posing as a count, an heiress, and a servant. It’s made more complicated by shifts in chronology and perspective. Furthermore , the splendid Read More …