Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing President Erdogan sent troops across the border into the Kurdish region of northeast Syria. He plans to settle a strip of land with Syrian Arab refugees. This, in addition to land in the northwest, would constitute another Turkish statelet in Syrian territory, if he gets away with Read More …
Brian M Downing Turkish President Erdogan has attacked the Kurds in Syria. The US position is confused. President Trump, noting his opposition to US efforts in the region, pulled US troops from the Syria-Turkey border. Turkish troops attacked shortly later – accompanied by the Free Syrian Army which was once Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump unexpectedly announced a pullback of US troops from the Turkish border in the Kurdish region of Syria. The US in recent years patched together an effective fighting force comprising Kurdish and Arab militias which defeated ISIL. The US will, for now, remain with Kurdish-Arab forces Read More …
Brian M Downing A second Arab Awakening is underway. Mass protests have continued in Algeria and the Sudan. The protesters are numerous and determined – even in the face of harsh repression that’s killed hundreds. The Hong Kong opposition to Beijing’s hovering fist is another case in point outside the Read More …
Brian M Downing Rulers often establish their power prestige through military victory. Alexander, Charlemagne, and Napoleon stand out. Communism might not have long endured in Russia had Stalin’s rule not been infused by defeating the Third Reich. The same is true of the House of Saud’s rule. Abdul Aziz vanquished Read More …
Brian M Downing Escalation in the Saudi-Iranian conflict reached a new high last week with aerial strikes on Saudi oil facilities. The US immediately blamed Iran and expectations were that punishing retaliation was coming. Thus far, however, the US has only imposed more sanctions on Iran and sent an air Read More …
Brian M Downing The Houthis claim of responsibility for the attacks on Saudi oil assets is in doubt. The distance, directionality, and complexity of the strike, which included sophisticated cruise missiles, point away from the fierce but technically-limited Yemeni movement. Washington and Riyadh are predictably blaming Tehran but other capitals Read More …
Brian M Downing Tensions in the Gulf are once again high. Last week the president was hanging fire and pondering talks with Iran. Saturday’s attacks on Saudi oil facilities have him locked and loaded. The attacks he unexpectedly halted last month might take place this week. Repeated tensions and troop Read More …
Brian M Downing The Yemen war has been stalemated for over a year. The southern Sunnis, despite strong foreign backing, have failed to take the Shia north. The Houthis have occasionally fired missiles into Saudi Arabia and skirmished along the northern frontier. Over the weekend, however, Houthi drones struck a Read More …
Directed by: Martin McDonagh Starring: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, and Sam Rockwell 7/10 This was a much ballyhooed film last year that tells the story of a mother’s (McDormand) determination to get the police to solve her daughter’s rape and murder. The police had little evidence to Read More …