Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
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 …
Brian M Downing Two weeks ago Americans were focusing on the primaries and fall election. The issues were climate change, healthcare, inequality, and immigration. Now, primaries are being postponed, the election is on the back burner, and there’s only one issue and pretty much only one politician on the stage. Read More …
Brian M Downing Covid-19 is taking a heavy toll around the world, but it will almost certainly subside in a few months. We will then confront a gravely weakened economy. Next months unemployment and GDP figures will be alarming, the ones in May will be appalling. A Federal Reserve Governor Read More …
Brian M Downing The United States and Iran have been at daggers drawn since the Trump administration accused Iran of violating the JCPOA and reimposed more and more sanctions. The policy is not bringing anything positive for the US or the region. Today Iran is suffering high numbers of Covid-19 Read More …
Brian M Downing The US is pulling out of three bases in Iraq, though most will be repositioned on other bases. This comes after an upswing in rocket fire from Iranian-backed militias. US reprisals have had no deterrent effect. The move might be a preliminary stage of a withdrawal intended Read More …
Brian M Downing When the Baghdad government ordered US troops out late in Bush the Younger’s second administration, it seemed we were rid of a bad situation. Shortly thereafter, however, AQ began to reconstitute in Sunni regions and Baghdad asked for US counterterrorism help. It was granted. In 2014 ISIL Read More …
Brian M Downing The US left Iraq in 2011 but returned at the invitation of the government. Initially, and relatively secretly, the US sent counterterrorism teams when al Qaeda resurfaced shortly after the US left. A fuller deployment came when ISIL overran the north. ISIL has lost almost all its Read More …