Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Mohammad bin Salman, heir apparent to the Saudi throne, is using his petrodollars to isolate and perhaps destroy Iran. He’s already won the support of the US defense industry and Washington. They are backing his war in Yemen and ignoring his murder of Khashoggi in Turkey. This Read More …
Brian M Downing In coming decades Saudi Arabia could become more powerful than today. It already has considerable oil wealth and it may become an industrial power too as the crown prince diversifies his economy. Furthermore, he could transform the army into an effective professional forces which in conjunction with Read More …
Brian M Downing Some wars ignite with little warning. The First Gulf War is a case in point. Others are seen from far off. Britain had long allied with Prussia/Germany but became wary as Germany became an industrial and naval power. Alliances shifted, war came. After that war, many diplomats Read More …
Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia is likely to emerge from the ongoing conflict with Iran as master of the Gulf. The US and Israel are seeing to that, though they may rue the day. In coming years Mohammad bin Salman, the 33-year-old heir apparent, may make his realm vastly more Read More …
Brian M Downing ISIL has been driven from large tracts of land which it boasted to be a restoration of an Islamic empire – a romantic idea that inspires many in the region. The twin capitals of Mosul and Reqaa have fallen to local forces supported by American advisors and Read More …
Brian M Downing Donald Trump promised to shake things up in Washington and he’s certainly done that. The complete pullout from Syria and the partial one from Afghanistan brought resignations in Washington and consternation in other capitals. National security hands are wary of what’s ahead. Most regard military interventions as Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump enjoys being unpredictable. Consistent with that penchant, he’s ordered a withdrawal of the 2,000 US troops in Syria. They’ve been there several years in support of Kurdish and Sunni forces that pushed ISIL out of most of its holdings. Reactions have begun. James Mattis is Read More …
Brian M Downing The war in Syria has eased considerably. Rebel positions along the periphery remain but Assad controls most of the country. Two interesting events have taken place in recent weeks. Delegates from Sunni Gulf states, key backers of Syrian rebel groups, have visited Damascus, and today President Trump Read More …
Brian M Downing The Yemeni civil war has been underway for three and a half years. The Houthis took hold in the Shia north, drove deep into the Sunni south, and neared Aden. The drive south was unwise from the start. It took the Houthis into hostile land and elicited Read More …
Brian M Downing The US-led campaign in Iraq booted out Saddam Hussein, disbanded his army, and set up elections. A frail democracy has been in place for over a decade. The position here is that Iraq is not fertile soil for democratic government. Sectarianism, factionalism, tribalism, and corruption pose serious Read More …