Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing It’s been some time since Luca Brasi disappeared under uncertain circumstances while meeting with the Tattaglias. The redoubtable Brasi was often on the outs with the Corleone family but reports indicate that shortly after a rapprochement at a family wedding, the Don sent him to meet with Read More …
Brian M Downing The apparent murder of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi at the direction of the crown prince has been disastrous for the kingdom. Western publics are horrified and voicing their concern to elected officials. Members of the US congress are calling for sanctions. Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) wants Mohammed Read More …
Brian M Downing The Khashoggi affair has caused a rift between the US and Saudi Arabia. It’s also shown that the partnership is not based on shared heritage and values, but on sales of oil and weapons. President Trump cautioned that the affair might cost the US many billions in Read More …
Brian M Downing Mohammed bin Salman, the 33-year-old heir apparent to the Saudi throne, has been aggressively consolidating his power. Though initiating welcome reforms, he has come down hard on dissent and continued wars in Syria and Yemen. Neither conflict is going well, but the prince has skillfully maneuvered other Read More …
Brian M Downing Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist critical of his government, disappeared shortly after visiting a Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He is not the first Saudi to disappear after criticizing his government. Some have resurfaced, others haven’t. Mohammed bin Salman, the young ruler of the Kingdom, is consolidating his Read More …
Brian M Downing As the British and Russian Empires expanded into Central Asia in the 19th century, remote and seemingly irrelevant Afghanistan became contested. Each side sent emissaries to parley with its tribes and peoples. Ever since the days of Durand, Kipling, and Ignatiev, foreign powers have vied for influence Read More …
Brian M Downing Gunmen attacked an IRGC parade in Iran’s Khuzestan province two weeks ago, killing 29 people and injuring twice that. An Arab separatist group has claimed responsibility, and so has ISIL. Tehran immediately blamed Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, and foreign backers. Earlier this week, the IRGC replied with Read More …
Reviewed by Brian M Downing The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been central to Iran’s domestic and foreign security since the war with Iraq in the 80s. Afterward it expanded into many parts of the state, economy, and society. Recently it’s been active in Iraq and Syria. Today the Read More …
Brian M Downing The last few months have seen numerous demonstrations in Iraq – some large and violent. They protest government incompetence and corruption but often mask the designs of the mercurial Muqtada al Sadr. Scion of a family of revered Shia clerics who opposed Saddam Hussein, Sadr has at Read More …
Reviewed by Brian M Downing ISIL has lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria, though it’s still present in the arid, sparsely-populated lands straddling the two fragmented countries. The Islamist group also has a presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and surrounding areas. ISIL calls this region “Khorasan” – a Read More …