Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Here was a new generation . . . grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken. – F Scott Fitzgerald Baghdad falls to US forces. – 2003 headline When Saigon fell and the last Huey was pushed overboard into the Read More …
Brian M Downing Films about wars have been part of the cinema since DW Griffith put scenes of the Civil War in Birth of a Nation (1915). There were thousands of veterans of that conflict still alive then and I’ll bet many of them didn’t like what they saw. Recently, Read More …
Brian M Downing Three demographic groups contend in the political system and on the cultural landscape. The generation that came of age during World War Two, now in its late years, controlled the presidency and much of public life, from John F. Kennedy’s election in 1960 until George Bush, Sr’s Read More …
by Brian M Downing Events of the thirties are much discussed today as we look for insight on present-day problems. Both parties today grab “facts” out of the past like breathless contestants on a ruthless game show, eager to go on for the grand prize. As someone from that period Read More …
Brian M Downing The war in Iraq and almost all foreign policy issues are usually seen in partisan terms. Accordingly, the GOP is now the party of reckless wars, the Democrats the party of thoughtful diplomacy. A look at our foreign policy over the last several decades, however, will reveal Read More …
Brian M Downing As the war in Iraq drags on, much as a previous American war did, one might be forgiven for wondering just how unpopular and seemingly inconclusive wars are ever brought to a close. Some thought on the Vietnam War might provide some insight. The Vietnam War, Read More …
Brian M Downing Last week President Bush humbly and movingly announced that to show his “solidarity” with our troops fighting in the Middle East he would refrain from playing golf. The magnanimity of the act, evocative as it is of our nation’s long tradition of noblesse oblige, speaks for itself. Read More …
Brian M Downing It’s probably not the right time to institute military reforms. The prospect for pushing through ill-advised changes or opposing sound ones based on short-term passions is too great. But it is the right time to think about and debate them. One reform should aim at the military’s Read More …
Brian M Downing As Hillary Clinton persists in efforts to become the Democratic nominee for president, she is angering many in the party. It would be better to say she is further angering them. She will also be damaging her image – and that may present serious problems in future Read More …
Brian M Downing As Hillary Clinton persists in efforts to become the Democratic nominee for president, she is angering many in the party. It would be better to say she is further angering them. She will also be damaging her image – and that may present serious problems in future Read More …