Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia has been accustomed to immense export revenue since at least the 1973 embargo. MBS, scion of the ruling House of Saud, was raised in limitless opulence and has ruled in the manner of a Bourbon or Romanov, though not an especially judicious one. The young Read More …
Director: Taika Waititi Stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison 7.5/10 This adventure-comedy made in New Zealand pairs Sam Neill as a crusty rural-dweller with a young teenager in and out of foster homes. The boy runs away into the rain forest where Neill tracks him down, only to injure his leg Read More …
Brian M Downing In recent weeks Trump has been upset with Mohammad bin Salman, the reigning prince of Saudi Arabia. The headstrong young ruler boosted oil production to punish Russia but in so doing he endangered the fiscal stability of many countries, including his own. Trump demanded MBS cut production Read More …
Candidate Trump ran on standing up to China, chiefly on trade. New agreements have been hammered out that call for more Chinese purchases of US goods but it remains to be seen if Beijing will live up to them. As accusations fly and tensions increase amid the pandemic, Beijing has Read More …
Brian M Downing Moscow has had a number of disappointments in the Middle East over the years. During the Cold War it backed Arab states against Israel and its western backers and even goaded them into starting wars. The disastrous results were showcases of second-rate Soviet hardware and corrupt, inept Read More …
Brian M Downing The contest with China is on. But how much domestic support can Washington mobilize, especially compared to what Beijing can command? Anti-Chinese sentiment There’s been considerable antipathy toward what was once called Red China since the days of the Cold War. Back then “Beiping” was deemed a Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump has been critical of China since his 2016 campaign. The attacks are more pronounced now as Covid-19 spreads and another election looms. The election is on and so is a critical geopolitical contest. Economics, politics, and proxies are more central than direct warfare for now. Read More …
Brian M Downing Historical analogies The shift from youthful idealism to terror is clear in several countries. Russian youth went to the countryside to learn from simple people and bring reform. It didn’t work well at all and as tsarist repression continued, they became nihilistic and violent. Nechaev and Zasulich Read More …
Brian M Downing Competition between the United States and China has not been put on hold for the duration. The two rivals are and will be vying for leadership through dissemination of information, promising medical treatments, and economic aid for global recovery one day. Dynamics are underway, on stock and Read More …
Brian M Downing The Spanish Flu of 1918-20 took place at the end of a jarring world war that began the decline of European dominance. The Covid-19 pandemic is taking place amid a deepening contest between China, a rising power, and the United States, today’s sole hegemon. Over the years Read More …