Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
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 …
Brian M Downing President Trump issued a warning to Pakistan last January and this week he cut $300 million in military aid to our putative ally. Other forms of aid are continuing, however. The reason for the cuts is Islamabad’s support for the Taliban, which has been gaining ground in Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump, like many people, is frustrated by the lack of progress in Afghanistan. This comes only a year after he sent in more GIs. Since then, the Taliban have continued to expand their presence in rural districts and recently struck a large city, Ghazni, a hundred Read More …
Brian M Downing Regime strengthened The entente’s efforts to weaken the Iranian government may have the reverse effect, especially if more aggressive actions are taken. The importance attached to urban middle classes is overestimated owing to their parallels to westernized people and an attendant faith that they must represent Iran’s Read More …
Brian M Downing The US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are determined to bring change to Iran. They claim it’s violating the JCPOA, supporting terrorism, and aggressively expanding its influence in the region. The US has reimposed sanctions. More will follow in the autumn. This three-power entente wants to soften demand Read More …