Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The images are fresh in our minds: angry marchers in Charlottesville, Virginia, and heavily-armed men in tactical gear standing outside and sometimes in state capitals. This book, though published between those two events, scrutinizes the white-power movement which comprises neo-Nazis, KKK members, private militias, and a miscellany Read More …
Brian M Downing Three explosions have hit Iranian targets in the last few days. A medical site in Tehran, the Natanz centrifuge site, and Ahvaz in the Arab Khuzestan province. Such attacks have been going on for well over a decade. The Mujahedin-e Khalq and the Arab Struggle Movement for Read More …
Brian M Downing The country has been rocked by a powerful social movement. Urban landscapes have been altered and attempts have been made to establish autonomous zones. Politicians and corporations accede to the movement – or at least tread cautiously so as not to run afoul of its demands and Read More …
Brian M Downing Reports of Russian bounties to Taliban fighters for killing GIs have created a storm. The debate concerns how reliable the intelligence is and whether or not the president was briefed on the matter and if so, what if anything did he do. The issue underscores the president’s Read More …
Brian M Downing The effort to oust the Assad government is all but over. The US and Turkey are still occupying swathes of the north and east, Idlib remains in rebel hands for now, but Damascus has clearly won. Nonetheless, the US has imposed stricter sanctions on Syria. Foreign countries Read More …
Brian M Downing The Civil War continues to be contested a century and a half after Lee handed his sword to Grant. A sterner president might have treated harshly, though not unjustly, with the defeated generals and politicians. Very harshly. The gallows would have suited many. They were traitors to Read More …
Brian M Downing [The arguments here were written down well before recent developments in our cities.] Generational shift A cultural revolution has been underway for several years. In recent weeks it’s taken on a powerful and sweeping form. The beliefs of many people, liberal and conservative, are being denounced. It’s Read More …
Brian M Downing The military is a powerful national institution that traditionally stays out of politics. Generals and admirals respect institutional norms almost as much as they do the Constitution. One of the norms says to avoid criticizing presidents, especially while on active duty. There’ve been notable exceptions. MacArthur had Read More …
Brian M Downing After several nights of protest and more importantly violence, the president has deployed military forces to Washington, DC and set the stage for sending troops to various cities as well. The move runs the risk of bringing greater violence but it may also put an end to Read More …
Brian M Downing An important development in the Libyan conflict took place this week. Russia withdrew its Wagner mercenaries from the western region and deployed fighter jets to the east. The interpretation here is that Putin and Erdogan have struck a bargain: the west remains under the Tripoli government under Read More …