Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The Arab Spring of 2011 was so promising. Centuries of corrupt, oligarchic rule would come to an ignominious end and government would be in the hands of young, educated people. The smartphone and social media would overwhelm clubs and tear gas. A few years on, little has Read More …
Brian M Downing Jordan has been in the background while much of the Middle East has burned and raged. It experienced no upheaval as in Egypt, Libya, and Syria. ISIL’s presence isn’t strong in Jordan, though it has pockets of support. The Jordanian military is playing a role in fighting Read More …
Ebb tide for democracy in the world? Brian M Downing Democracy was on the rise not long ago. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and democracies replaced politburos. Twenty years later, authoritarian regimes across North Africa and the Middle East were jarred by the Arab Spring. While democracy has endured Read More …
Brian M Downing The remarkable uprisings across the Arab world of the last sixteen months have ousted or imperiled leaders in several countries, including Egypt, Yemen, and Syria. None of these movements, however, has been successful in its goal of creating a new political system let alone a democratic one. Read More …
Brian M Downing For over two weeks now, Syrian troops have surrounded Homs, a city of about a million people not far from the northern border with Lebanon. President Bashir Assad’s troops are firing indiscriminately into the hapless town, entering parts of it, and preparing a full assault to crush Read More …
Brian M Downing The once seemingly overwhelming momentum of the democratic movements in the Middle East has been stopped or at least slowed in many countries. The forces behind staunching the tide of change are often domestic in nature, but Saudi Arabia is playing an important supporting role – sometimes Read More …
Brian M Downing World attention is rightly fixed on the fighting in Libya, but events in Saudi Arabia slated for Friday, March 11th might well take precedent. Young Saudis are mobilizing for demonstrations calling for political reforms but the regime has warned against any such gatherings. A confrontation with immense Read More …