Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The Arab Spring was so promising back in 2011. In Libya, Qaddafi was overthrown and killed by a coalition of popular militias. People power in the Maghreb. A representative government was sure to follow, once all those militias disbanded and their leaders formed a transitional government. Didn’t Read More …
Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia, the United States, and Israel are collaborating to gravely weaken or even fragment Iran. The view here is the alliance cannot last long, especially if it succeeds against Iran. A triumphant Mohammad bin Salman would likely turn on Israel. His Wahhabi creed is deeply hostile Read More …
Brian M Downing Last month, the Maduro government appeared to be on the way out. Millions of Venezuelans were hungry and demonstrating angrily in the streets. Juan Guadio, a prominent opponent, declared himself interim president and urged his fellow Venezuelans, especially officers and soldiers, to rally to his side. Foreign Read More …
Brian M Downing The US has officially recognized Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights, the narrow strip of elevated land overlooking western Syria. Israel took control of it in the Six-Day War of 1967 and battled for it again six years later in the Yom Kippur War. The US has Read More …
Brian M Downing The American phase of Afghanistan’s wars began after al Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks. Since then, however, the group’s significance declined. The war became a Taliban-based insurgency, al Qaeda lost many leaders and fighters, and ISIL seized territory while al Qaeda was in hiding. Today, after 17 years of Read More …
Brian M Downing The Arab Spring of 2011 was so promising. Centuries of corrupt, oligarchic rule would come to an ignominious end and government would be in the hands of young, educated people. The smartphone and social media would overwhelm clubs and tear gas. A few years on, little has Read More …
Brian M Downing SDF troops supported by American, British, and French advisors have greatly reduced ISIL territory in Syria. Only a small portion of land near Deir Azour remains. ISIL’s positions in Iraq are negligible too. Most ISIL troops fight to the end, though recently, near Deir Azour, several dozen Read More …
Brian M Downing Negotiations to settle the war in Afghanistan might be leading somewhere. A major Taliban official has taken part and the Trump administration is looking to get out of the failed venture. Should an agreement come, the Taliban will govern large parts of the south and east. They Read More …
Brian M Downing Two years ago sabers rattled noisily and ominously in East Asia. North Korea was testing nuclear weapons and launching long-range missiles capable of hitting parts of the US. The Trump administration replied with threats to destroy “little rocket man’s” country. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Trump and Kim exchanged Read More …
Brian M Downing When the Arab Spring came to Syria in 2011, popular protest was put down by government violence and terror. Civil war erupted. Sunni powers stepped in and armed rebel groups – lots of them. Government forces abandoned key border crossings and fell back into a redoubt in Read More …