Downing Reports

Saudi Arabia under fire The deaths of over 700 pilgrims at Mecca has led to criticism of the Saudi government. As would be expected, Iran is especially vocal, in part because several dozen of its people were killed. Iran is seeking to undermine Saudi Arabia’s leading position in the Islamic Read More …

Russia to conduct naval maneuvers in Mediterranean  Fresh from beginning an airbase in Syria, Russia is about to conduct naval exercises in the Med. Part of those exercises may include a visit to the Russian naval base at Tartus, Syria. Syria uses recently acquired Russian jets against ISIL Syria has Read More …

  Retired US general offers plan for Syria In a sweeping criticism of the administration’s failures in Syria, General David Petraeus has made some recommendations to congress. He calls for the US to establish safe zones for friendly rebels, counter the Syrian government’s barrel bombings, to look into placing ground teams Read More …

Iraqi soldiers prominent among refugees Facing the possibility of years of fighting and the fact of poor leadership, Iraqi military personnel are fleeing their country and heading for Europe. This of course will weaken Iraq in its fight with ISIL. Chinese military expresses concern over troops cuts As expected here, Read More …

Syria (and Russia) launch attacks on ISIL In an effort to rehabilitate their images and stabilize the Assad government, Syria and Russia have begun attacks, from the air for now, on ISIL positions near Palmyra. They will present themselves as a potent force against Islamist militancy and attempt to deflect Read More …

French trade delegation heads for Iran With international sanctions peeling away, many countries are eager to establish trade with Iran, a country with 80 million people, many of them middle-class, western-leaning, and with disposable incomes that reset to rise. American businesses will, for now, hold back. Other countries will benefit. Read More …

Russian fighters spotted over Syria No surprise here, given recent events. Putin is showing his country’s renewed activism in work affairs and showing commitment to an ally. Look for Putin to stress his role if fighting ISIL and to call for international cooperation. RAND study shows rising Chinese power in Read More …

US will talk with Russia on Syria After Russia solidified its support for the Syrian government, US Sec of State Kerry has announced talks with Russia on the war in Syria. This may take two forms: First, Russia will make a case for a united effort against ISIL and the al Read More …

US-trained Syrian force almost none-existent  The US hoped to build a moderate force and insert it into the Syrian civil war. The program has been a disaster. A force of about 60 troops was deployed last month and it is now down to “four or five.” Syrians do not want Read More …