Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The September 11 attacks brought overwhelming unity to the American people. Comparisons were drawn to the spirit that followed Pearl Harbor and led to determined campaigns in Europe and the Pacific. Victory came in less than four years. The al Qaeda attacks killed three thousand Americans and Read More …
Brian M Downing Concern with immense, sinister forces working behind the scenes has been with us since the country’s founding, if not before. Richard Hofstadter sketched some manifestations in The Paranoid Style in American Politics (1964) – the Bavarian Illuminati, Freemasonry, Roman Catholicism, and World Communism. Hofstadter noted a few Read More …
Brian M Downing In coming decades Saudi Arabia could be much more powerful than it is today. Its young ruler, Mohammad bin Salman, has ambitious plans for himself and his kingdom. Israel and the US are helping him, for now. Those three states may gravely weaken Iran in coming years. Read More …
Brian M Downing The monarchies in opposition The Saudi monarchy adamantly opposed creation of a Jewish state. Abdul Aziz made that clear to FDR when they met on a US warship in the Suez Canal back in early 1945. Nonetheless, the US recognized the new state soon after it Read More …
A review by Brian M Downing Ford vs Ferrari (2019) 8/10 Director: James Mangold Stars: Matt Damon, Christian Bale The film tells the story of Texas maverick Carrol Shelby’s collaboration with the suits of Ford Motors to compete in the World Sportscar Championship races, which included Sebring. Daytona, and Le Read More …
Brian M Downing The hostile era The Soviet Union provided limited support to the Jewish revolt against British rule after WW2 – anything to weaken an opponent in the emerging Cold War. Moscow quickly shifted to Arab states, and Britain and France backed Israel. Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Libya, and others Read More …
Brian M Downing National security bureaus worry. That’s what they’re paid to do and they look for threats day and night. Sometimes they overstate dangers, often they seize upon worst-case scenarios. Israeli security figures must be looking on events in the US and wondering if fiscal and political problems will Read More …
Brian M Downing Protests are jarring many countries. In recent days, after an election gave a suspicious win to a longstanding ruler, Belarus is now in the rapids. Once part of the Soviet Union, and situated between Russia and the EU (geographically and geopolitically), Belarus is closely watched by western Read More …
Brian M Downing The US effort to weaken Iran is failing. It has alienated longstanding allies, strengthened authoritarian rule in Tehran, and shown the limits of American power. The US may now be holding secret talks with Iran that will allow the US to climb down from escalation. If so, Read More …
Brian M Downing The US full-spectrum pressure on Iran has thus far not gotten Iran out of Syria, isolated Hisbollah, fomented an uprising, or brought down the regime of mullahs and generals. The policy seems counterproductive, solidifying the guardians in Tehran, weakening Washington’s respect in the world, and strengthening Beijing’s Read More …