Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
US oil production declining The price of oil has been in steep decline for about a year now. Saudi Arabia and other major producers have not cut back production to boost prices, preferring to undermine one of the chief reasons for the drop – US production based on fracking. The Read More …
Iranian troops now in Syria? Israeli defense figures report the recent deployment of Iranian troops to Syria. This comes close on the heels of Russian moves in Syria, including its advisers taking part in combat, the construction of a compound, and the possibility of Russian aircraft being sent in. Iran Read More …
Israeli Druze leader expresses concern over ISIL ISIL may be able to take up positions near the Golan Heights and then threaten Israel and Jordan. The Downing Reports has long held that Israel would like to see the Syrian Druze population detach from Syria and form a statelet under the Read More …
Israel mobilized its considerable resources in an effort to block the nuclear deal with Iran in congress. Think tanks, lobbies, and the Religious Right denounced the agreement, repeatedly and vociferously, on television and talk shows and most importantly in the senate. Saudi Arabia made the same effort. Nonetheless, the Obama administration thwarted Read More …
Turkish troops cross into Kurdistan The war between Turkey and its Kurdish population in the southeast is spilling over into Kurdistan. Turkish troops have crossed the border into Kurdistan in pursuit of PKK fighters. Kurdistan cannot be pleased by this, but it is utterly dependent on Turkey for exporting its oil. Iranian Read More …
Saudis to cut budgets Facing sharply lower oil revenue from plunging prices, Saudi Arabia announced it will cut state budgets. The Saudis are spending lavishly abroad on Salafi schools, Sunni military forces, and wars in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Lower- and middle-class Saudis will not like to see domestic cuts. Read More …
US warns Russia on expected Syrian moves Russia is expected to boost its presence in Syria in upcoming weeks to demonstrate support for the beleaguered Assad regime. It already has personnel with Syrian troops who are more than advisers – they are firing on rebel forces. Russia is thought to be about to Read More …
Islamist attack in Tajikistan Several security personnel were killed when their compound in the country’s capital was attacked, probably by the Islamic Revival Party. Islamist ferment is underway in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The leader of Tajikistan’s elite security force is thought to have left the country to fight with Read More …
Putin says Assad willing to share power The Russian president says that Syrian president Assad is willing to hold elections and share power with a “responsible” opposition. Let’s see if Assad agrees with this and proceeds. The opposition is unlikely to trust Assad and furthermore they have the upper hand. Read More …
Russians serving alongside Syrian troops Syrian television has aired footage of Russian-speaking soldiers firing upon rebel position and using new Russian-made armored vehicles. Other reports, unconfirmed at present, claim that Russian aircraft are operating over Syria. Russia will not let its Syrian ally fall, though it may be amenable to Read More …