Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
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 …
Brian M Downing Over the last few decades, the image of the veteran has undergone numerous pendulum-like changes. The changes reflect the public’s unfamiliarity with military service and war. Even when positive, the mythic images are more often than not harmful, to both the soldiers and the nation. When Read More …
Brian M Downing Every war draws upon myths of past conflicts. World War One drew upon the myths of the Civil War. Vietnam did the same with the myths of World War Two, at least until they lost their vitality. And during the present war in Iraq, our first war Read More …
Brian M Downing Our presence in Iraq is far different from what it was a year ago. There was no decisive battle, no act of Congress, no shift in public opinion. Though largely unremarked upon, the US has stumbled into a long-term presence in Iraq. Administration officials and like-minded media Read More …
Brian M Downing Divisions between red and blue America and between rich and poor are well known. But another one, related but not quite identical, exists as well. There is a deep divide between those who honorably live the traditions surrounding war and those who dishonorably capitalize on them, between Read More …