Ahmed S Hashim, Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Iraq

A review of Ahmed S Hashim, Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Iraq  by Brian M Downing Analyzing an ongoing war is dicey.  Most historians gladly and often wisely leave it to pundits and think-tank analysts until the years have made it less dangerous to their careers.  Amid the grinding war in Iraq, Read More …

Cohesion and disintegration in Iraq’s armies

 Brian M Downing In June, well equipped Iraqi troops trained by the US and other powers collapsed before a smaller and less well equipped force led by men who had little military experience until they plunged into wars in Iraq and Syria. Shadows of doubt have been cast on the Read More …

Sectarian conflict flares in Iraq

Brian M Downing  Sectarian conflict in Iraq is again a concern as the Shi’ite government seeks the arrest of a Sunni vice president whom they tie to an assassination team.  Implicit in the accusation is the charge that Sunni politicians were complicit in a number of bombings over the past Read More …