Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Is a Saudi-Russian rapprochement in the works? Brian M Downing Russian foreign minister Lavrov and his Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir met recently and called for cooperation against ISIL and better relations in general. This would represent a return to the portentous dealings that were put on hold when Russia deployed Read More …
Is a great Shia-Sunni war in the offing? Brian M Downing Almost 1400 years after the great schism in the Islamic world, sectarian hatreds in the Middle East are higher than in centuries. Princes and mullahs exchange angry words. Proxies fight fierce local wars. Armies of regional powers purchase huge Read More …
The al Nusrah Front breaks from al Qaeda – and aligns with what? Brian M Downing The al Nusrah Front has long been one of the most formidable rebel groups in Syrian civil war. Its Salafi creed establishes cohesion in combat units, respect for its chain of command, and an effective Read More …
Erdogan strikes back hard Brian M Downing Some Turkish troops took to the streets in an effort to oust President Erdogan, but within hours the coup feel apart. Popular rallies and inaction by most army units saw to that. Over the last week Erdogan ordered the arrests of tens of Read More …
Can the US and Russia cooperate in Syria? Brian M Downing Secretary of State Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov have met several times in recent weeks, giving rise to talk of the two powers cooperating in easing the war in Syria. Two issues are being discussed: cooperating in attacking Read More …
Egypt comes down hard – and clumsily Brian M Downing Amnesty International reported this week that Egyptian security and judicial authorities are responsible for torturing and disappearing hundreds of dissidents. Egypt has long had trouble with terrorism. The assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981and frequent attacks on tourist sites are the Read More …
Where’s the Taliban offensive? Brian M Downing The Taliban offensive of last year was remarkably strong. They struck in the east, south, and the north where they seized the provincial capital of Kunduz and held it for several days. Special forces units, which are about the only effective fighters in the Read More …
The House of Saud comes down on ISIL Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia was jolted by three ISIL bombings earlier this week. One of them shook the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina – a centerpiece of the Kingdom which confers prestige from much of the Islamic world. The bombing calls into Read More …
Obama’s foreign policy and the Nixon Doctrine Brian M Downing Politicians and the public at large are voicing frustration at the slow pace of the ISIL War. Some claim the administration doesn’t have a strategy. Many are eager to see more US troops sent back into the Middle East. Owing Read More …
Is the United States breaking apart? Brian M Downing Previous centuries saw political consolidation into nation-states and empires, which dominated world affairs and became, apparently, an end point in regional histories. Many have fallen apart in the last quarter century. The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia are gone. The Islamic world Read More …