Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Israel and Iran were once allies, both before and after the 1979 revolution that brought the mullahs to power. Hostility began in the nineties and sharpened as suspicions of an Iranian nuclear weapons program grew over the last decade. The recent agreement has done little to soften things. The Israeli government opposes rapprochement between the Read More …
Turkey claims a second Russian air intrusion Turkey summoned the Russian ambassador and upbraided him for another incursion into Turkish airspace. A few months ago, Turkey shot down a Russian jet that cross the border, although the plane was probably back in Syrian airspace when the missile struck. Since then, Read More …
Iran pressures Afghan refugees to fight in Syria For well over a year Iran has recruited Afghan militias to fight in Syria and Iraq. Iran has used financial incentives and used religion to get Afghans to sign up. For example, refugees are told of the need too protect Shia holy Read More …
My father returned from service in World War Two aboard a troopship that left the Philippines, passed through the Panama Canal, and eventually pulled into Brooklyn Navy Yard. It was a few weeks late for the boisterous crowds and tugboat horns that greeted troopships in the immediate aftermath of VJ Read More …
Saudi mosque bombed A Shia mosque in the Eastern Province has been bombed, killing two and wounding seven according to early reports. No one has taken responsibility, but suspicions naturally falls on ISIL. The Eastern Province is home to most of the Kingdom’s Shia population and ISIL would dearly love Read More …
I remember MAD Magazine more and more fondly these days. It wasn’t just a funny magazine for kids. It tried to teach us something about modern America and to instill critical ways of thinking about the not-so brave new world we were growing up in. If cultivated, those ways of Read More …
Former National Security Advisor sees deepening US involvement Former NSA Ton Donilon sees the US getting more deeply involved in the ISIL War, especially in the upcoming battles for Mosul and Reqaa.He also sees poyrntial for greater US involvement in fighting ISIL in Libya. ISIL forces there are expanding from coastal Read More …
Report finds al Nusrah Front more dangerous than ISIL The conservative Institute for the Study of War and American Enterprise Institute have issued a report calling the al Nusrah Front, the al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, a greater threat than ISIS and an “existential threat” to the US. Neither group is an Read More …
Biden signals possibility of military solution in Syria On a visit to Turkey, VP Biden expressed hope in a political solution but left the door open to a military one, presumably one with US support. This is likely a warning to Russia and Iran which may be pursuing a military Read More …
Weak oil prices, and the prospect of protracted weakness, have pleased motorists but concerned many states. Venezuela may be on the brink of political ruin. Gulf monarchies wonder if their populations’ loyalty is based mainly on legitimate government or generous disbursements. Observers look for signs of unrest in Russia Read More …