Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Iran slipped in importance when Russia invaded Ukraine. The mullahs and generals have returned to center stage, nudged by allies and enemies but mostly on their own. They have crushed dissidents, supplied Russia with weapons, and enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels. The advancing nuclear program makes attacks Read More …
Director: Edward Berger 6.5/10 Twenty minutes into this, the third film of the masterful Remarque novel, it was clear this one has little to do with the book. That isn’t necessarily a problem. Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line is only loosely based on the James Jones novel but it’s Read More …
Brian M Downing China will one day have the strongest economy in the world. But without a powerful, aligned Russia, it can only be a regional military power. No Russian ally, no Chinese preeminence. Everyone’s watching Putin’s offensive which he believes will turn the tide. China is watching more keenly Read More …
Brian M Downing China and Russia, though enemies for centuries, have aligned to weaken the West and create a new world order dominated from Beijing and Moscow. Putin discussed the Ukraine war with his partner not long before he crossed the border a year ago. Xi is the senior partner, Read More …
Director: Joseph Kosinski Starring: You know full well who stars in it 7/10 This much-awaited sequel opens with Maverick (Tom Cruise) working on the engine of a P-51 Mustang – a venerable airplane which no longer has military use but which enjoys a mythic status. Cruise is involved in an Read More …
Brian M Downing The view here has been that longstanding flaws and high casualties have rendered the Russian army incapable of meaningful offensive operations. Undaunted, Moscow has rallied the nation with WW2 analogies, drafted hundreds of thousands of men, and positioned them for attack. A winter offensive is underway, seeking Read More …
Brian M Downing The Ukraine war has gone badly for Russia. This isn’t widely admitted in Moscow, especially in the upper echelons. Russia’s response hasn’t been to reform its inept army, as did Prussia amid the Napoleonic wars and Japan against western imperialism. Putin et al aren’t looking to the Read More …
Brian M Downing Over the weekend drones attacked military and industrial targets inside Iran. The drones were small with limited range and launched from either inside Iran or nearby Kurdish Iraq. Iranian assets in Syria were also struck. Israel is almost certainly involved. The new Netanyahu government loathes Iran and Read More …
Brian M Downing Wars end in different ways, though some go on and on. After World War Two both Germany and Japan were completely defeated by victorious armies. Their armies were disbanded, leaders put on trial, and political systems fundamentally changed. That will not happen in the Russian war on Read More …
Brian M Downing Russia is planning an offensive in coming months. As noted earlier, the plan seems unwise to say the least. It’s based on dubious reports from below, official concerns in the state, and nationalistic cant all around. Cautious military analysis doesn’t seem to have figured. Shifting from hopes Read More …