Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing President Biden will have his hands full. A slew of domestic problems await him. The same holds for international ones. China and Russia will present new problems and exacerbate old ones. The confrontation will take place at a pivotal moment in history. One great power is facing Read More …
Brian M Downing The new foreign policy team has shown no reluctance to send troops into danger. That’s clear from their positions in previous administrations and at research institutes between political appointments. They may be more cautious after the failure of the Afghan surge, the aftermath of ousting Qaddafi, the Read More …
Brian M Downing President Biden faces daunting problems in the world. High on his agenda will be restoring comity and trust with allies. Trump was dismissive of them, even though they’re needed to counter the continuing problem of jihadism and the emerging one of China. He was unaware that the Read More …
Brian M Downing The new administration takes over following the erratic previous one. Trump dropped out of the JCPOA, the Paris climate agreement, and the TPP. He opted not to fill numerous positions in State and Defense, leaving decisions in the hands of inexperienced colleagues and family members. The administration, Read More …
Brian M Downing Last week Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, leader of his country’s nuclear program, was shot to death near Tehran. It’s the most recent attack going back to the Islamic Republic’s early years. The Sunni powers waged a long war that killed several hundred thousand Iranians. Since its inconclusive end, Iran Read More …
Brian M Downing Director: Alex Winter Superbly made documentary of the eccentric musician using footage of his youth, professional work, family life, political activity, and illness and death. It gives a well-crafted and intriguing look at Zappa’s eccentricities, creativity, abrasiveness, and devotion to making music his way. Zappa comes across Read More …
Brian M Downing The American war The Taliban’s harboring of al Qaeda of course led to the US intervention in 2001. The campaign to expel the Taliban and AQ went remarkably well but subsequent efforts to stabilize and unify the nation failed. The Taliban reconstituted itself and AQ found refuge Read More …
Brian M Downing The US went into Afghanistan in 2001 with the lofty goals of democratizing and modernizing it. Today, neither has been approximated and the goals seem naive or foolhardy. The effort has failed, though no one in Washington wants to admit it. The political system is hopelessly corrupt, Read More …
Brian M Downing After a week of speculation, President Trump has ordered significant troop reductions in Afghanistan and Iraq. No word on Syria yet. Orders and rumors of orders have been with us since Candidate Trump called for an end to unwinnable wars. Afghanistan fits the bill. However, at Read More …
Brian M Downing Biden’s foreign policy team has a lot of work to do. Its predecessors relied on the counsel of inexperienced loyalists and relatives, slighted long-standing allies, and acted arbitrarily and inconsistently. Iran will be important. The Trump administration walked away from the JCPOA and climbed the escalation tree. Read More …