Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The Houthis began as a movement opposed to rising Saudi-Wahhabi influence in Yemen. They are Shia but their identity and cause are tied more to regional differences than to sectarian doctrines. The north has been fighting the Sunni south for a decade. After many offensives and counteroffensives, Read More …
Director: Sam Esmail Stars: Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon 7/10 A couple (Roberts and Hawke) and their two children rent an isolated estate on Long Island. They are self-absorbed, antagonistic toward one another, barely integrated into family life, and disinterested in the world outside them. Cell and Read More …
Reviewed by Brian M Downing Director: Peter Farrelly Starring: Zac Efron, Bill Murray, Russell Crowe 6/10 This comedy set in 1967-68 concerns Chickie Donohue who lives with the fierce Vietnam debate all around. He and most in his working-class neighborhood are traditional patriots who instinctively support the war and the Read More …
Brian M Downing The Hamas attack with its torture, rapes, and mutilations was appalling. A firm, violent response was understandable and in accordance with international law. However, the destruction Netanyahu has unleashed on Gaza and its 2.4 million people is disproportionate. Whole blocks and neighborhoods lie in ruins. Reliable sources Read More …
Brian M Downing Henry Kissinger died yesterday at the age of one hundred – fifty-four years after becoming Richard Nixon’s foreign policy architect. He directed policy at critical junctures of the Cold War and amid the Vietnam conflict, He remained a commentator on world affairs until only a few months Read More …
Brian M Downing The US and Saudi Arabia have been aligned since the 1945 FDR-ibn Saud meeting aboard an American warship. Washington was concerned the Second World War was consuming too much domestic oil and wanted Europe’s reconstruction to use foreign crude. A deal was struck. The Saudis would allow Read More …
Brian M Downing The Islamic Republic is on the move and taking advantage of Israeli-American missteps. The view here has long been that the US would benefit from better ties with Iran. Sunni-Shia enmity would ease and China’s rise in the Gulf would be put off. Israel would benefit too Read More …
Brian M Downing The Israeli government is being criticized for ignoring Egyptian warnings of a major Hamas strike. There may be a larger intelligence failure – one stretching back years and posing great danger for Israeli security and American standing. The present war isn’t just against Iran, Hamas, and aligned Read More …
Brian M Downing China and Russia are trying to replace the US as the dominant world power. They aided the Taliban and gave the US an embarrassing defeat. They’re cooperating in Ukraine to the same end. The Gaza war presents extraordinary opportunities for the agenda. China and Russia will use Read More …
Brian M Downing Decades of Israeli diplomacy, conducted by centrist and Likud governments with help from both US parties, laid the foundations of a stable Middle Eastern order. Egypt and Jordan inked agreements with Israel. Saudi Arabia and the Emirates shared Israel’s concern with Iran and moved closer. Embassies opened, Read More …