Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Hostility between the Sunni and Shia sects began in the seventh century as a fight over succession to leadership of the Islamic world. Was it to be descendants of the Prophet or his generals? The issue was settled, more or less, when the generals defeated Ali’s forces Read More …
The coming battle for Raqqa – and the future of Iraq and Syria Brian M Downing Iraqi and Kurdish troops are on the outskirts of Mosul, ISIL’s prized holding in Iraq. The battle will be long and costly and will entail a slew of political complications involving various foreign powers, especially the Read More …
Is a great Shia-Sunni war in the offing? Brian M Downing Almost 1400 years after the great schism in the Islamic world, sectarian hatreds in the Middle East are higher than in centuries. Princes and mullahs exchange angry words. Proxies fight fierce local wars. Armies of regional powers purchase huge Read More …
ISIL conquered a large amount of territory in June 2014, scattering Iraqi troops and startling the world. Its fighters were the best in the region, perhaps the best the region has seen in centuries. However, after their impressive offensive they were overextended and outnumbered. Since then, they have suffered setbacks Read More …
Modern War and the Decline of the Old Regime, 1763-1856 © 2001 Brian M. Downing The basis of democratization is everywhere purely military in character. . . . Military discipline meant the triumph of democracy because the community wished and was compelled to secure the cooperation of the non-aristocratic masses Read More …
The world wars of the last century brought new heights of savagery and destruction. They also brought significant advances for women, who entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers and produced the armaments used on most fronts. Some women served near those fronts. After the wars, in victorious countries, discontent with traditional roles Read More …
Brian M Downing The United States faces another embarrassment amid its difficult wars in the Islamic world. Following close on the heels of atrocities and miscues in Afghanistan, it has come to light that Colonel Matthew Dooley, an instructor at a military graduate school, taught his officers that the US Read More …
Brian M Downing Discussion of a possible war between Iran and the coalition aligning against it centers on destroying Iranian nuclear sites and ensuring that oil tankers freely transit the Strait of Hormuz. Countries embarking on war scrutinize as many scenarios and possibilities as they can, but wars invariably present Read More …
Brian M Downing Here was a new generation . . . grown up to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken. – F Scott Fitzgerald Baghdad falls to US forces. – 2003 headline When Saigon fell and the last Huey was pushed overboard into the Read More …