Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Tensions between the US and China are deepening as they vie for influence, markets, and military bases in many parts of the world. Iran, with its oil wealth, strategic position, and large population, is clearly leaning toward China. It has recently signed an agreement on trade that Read More …
Brian M Downing As noted in previous articles, political, fiscal, and generational dynamics may one day undermine the US’s long-standing reliability as a strategic partner. Worries must be strong in Eastern Europe. Countries that were once part of the Soviet Union, such as the Baltic states, might be especially concerned Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump has worried major NATO allies by his ill treatment of their leaders, general inattentiveness, and strange apologies for Russian actions. They wonder if his policies are based on sage counsel or business hopes after leaving office. Last week they were dismayed by his order to Read More …
Brian M Downing Arms race with US China knows that the US will respond to the rise of its navy and assertiveness. That’s global politics. But just how will the US respond? China may be playing the US here. Washington is unlikely to build more carriers than already in the Read More …
Brian M Downing China has been building up its navy for many years. Army budgets are relatively static but naval vessels continue to roll into the sea from bustling shipyards. Amid rising tensions with Washington, Beijing is hastening construction of its third and fourth aircraft carriers, at least one of Read More …
Directed by Elia Kazan 10/10 This is a truly great film. Using no stars, Elia Kazan (A Streetcar Named Desire, East of Eden) tells the story of his ancestors’ hard lives in what’s now central Turkey ca 1900. Greeks and Armenians, both Christian, live as oppressed minorities under Ottoman/Islamic governance, Read More …
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 …