Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Playing last night in the Best Defense terrorism film festival: ‘A Wednesday’

I didn’t think this 2008 Indian movie was very good, yet I found it quite watchable. Remember Charles Bronson in Death Wish fulfilling the fantasy of revenge against street criminals of the 1960s and 1970s? Sure you do: Paul Kersey: Any chance of catching these men? Lt. Briggs: There’s a chance, sure. Paul Kersey: Just ...

I didn't think this 2008 Indian movie was very good, yet I found it quite watchable. Remember Charles Bronson in Death Wish fulfilling the fantasy of revenge against street criminals of the 1960s and 1970s? Sure you do:

I didn’t think this 2008 Indian movie was very good, yet I found it quite watchable. Remember Charles Bronson in Death Wish fulfilling the fantasy of revenge against street criminals of the 1960s and 1970s? Sure you do:

Paul Kersey: Any chance of catching these men?
Lt. Briggs: There’s a chance, sure.
Paul Kersey: Just a chance?
Lt. Briggs: I’d be less than honest if I gave you more hope, Mr. Kersey. In the city, that’s the way it is

This is a Bollywood fantasy of hitting back at al Qaeda, ISI and their buddies. So Netflix it, but just keep in mind that it is an illuminating cultural artifact, not a lasting work of art.

And thanks to the commenter who recommended it many months ago.

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.