Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Hopes for a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan are beginning once more, but the problematic Byzantine geopolitics are not readily apparent. It is not the bipolar confrontation between Britain and Russia that it was in the 19th century. Nor is it simply the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Read More …
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 …
Brian M Downing United States President Barack Obama announced on Friday that US troops would be out of Iraq by the end of 2011, little more than two months away. This date was set three years ago with the Iraqi government’s status of forces agreement, but two US administrations have Read More …
Brian M Downing Iraq is less violent and more stable than it was at the height of the insurgency, but it is still plagued by bombings and sectarian tensions. In recent weeks, Shi’ite militias have been attacking United States troops – perhaps on the direction of Iran, perhaps simply to Read More …
Brian M Downing Iran recently offered to assist in a new probe of the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Argentina that killed 85 people – an event often attributed to Iran and its Hezbollah ally. While Iran has hinted at evidence that might be in its favor, Read More …
Brian M Downing Following the announcement on Wednesday by United States President Barack Obama, the US will have 10,000 fewer troops in Afghanistan by the end of the year, from a total of over 100,000, with another 23,000 to depart by the middle of 2012. With the reduction, the Read More …
Brian M Downing President Obama has announced the withdrawal from Afghanistan of ten thousand US troops by the end of this year, with another twenty-three thousand to depart by the middle of 2012. Partisan politicians and the military will find this too steep and try to slow the pace, but Read More …
Ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are longstanding but for the most part have not stood out in the turbulent affairs of the region. However, increased tensions with Iran, the Arab Spring, and growing disenchantment with the US are making the relationship more expansive, more prominent, and more dangerous. Read More …
Brian M Downing Wars are often fought over natural resources and peace agreements wrestle over them. And any settlement in Afghanistan will have to contend with them. China, aloof from the war but enmeshed in the economy, is positioning itself to be the biggest winner. China already operates an immense Read More …
Brian M Downing World attention is rightly fixed on the fighting in Libya, but events in Saudi Arabia slated for Friday, March 11, might well take precedent. Young Saudis are mobilizing for “day of rage” demonstrations calling for political reforms but the regime has warned against any such gatherings. A Read More …