Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing US and aligned forces in Syria have come under intermittent attacks over the years – by ISIL, government and rebel groups, Iranian militias, and even Putin’s Wagner Group. The attacks stepped up last week as Iranian drones hit US positions in the east. The US responded quickly Read More …
Brian M Downing The view here has long been that China, along with Russia, would gain influence in the Persian Gulf at the US’s expense. Beijing took an important step last week when it brokered an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to reopen diplomatic ties. The UAE, another Sunni Read More …
Brian M Downing Over the weekend drones attacked military and industrial targets inside Iran. The drones were small with limited range and launched from either inside Iran or nearby Kurdish Iraq. Iranian assets in Syria were also struck. Israel is almost certainly involved. The new Netanyahu government loathes Iran and Read More …
Brian M Downing The Yemen war has been going on since 2014. It’s the most recent civil war since the 1960s when north and south were formed into a single country, despite widely disparate cultures and histories. Today, each side is backed by foreign powers – the north by Iran, Read More …
Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia and Iran have compelling domestic incentives to pursue negotiations and ease tensions. Dialog is almost certainly being encouraged by China. It may even have helped initiate it. It has considerable influence on both sides of the Gulf and ambition to replace the United States as Read More …