Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Campaign to retake Ramadi continues to stall Four moths after the capital of Anbar province fell to ISIL, the Iraqi counteroffensive still languishes. The Iraqis have advantages in numbers and firepower (including airpower) but do not have the spirit to launch a concerted offensive. ISIL moves into northern Syria Meanwhile Read More …
Houthi losses continue Southern Sunni forces continue their advances in Marib province, which is in S Yemen and home to the country’s oil fields. Clearly, the Northerners blundered by driving on Aden earlier this year. Aden is Sunni and hostile to the Shia northerners. Will the Sunni forces make a Read More …
PKK attacks persist Three more security troops were killed by Kurdish guerrillas. Note that thus far PKK attacks have not struck civilians, which is a sign that the Kurds are trying to avoid being labeled as terrorists. Sunni forces shin peace talks, continue offensive The Houthi offensive has been halted Read More …
President Putin has raised the Russian profile in Syria. He has sent in new armored vehicles, deployed advisers alongside government troops, and ordered work on a housing compound for several hundred more troops – the latter move setting off speculation about the scope and intent of the Read More …
Saudi Arabia has taken in 2.5 Syrian refugees After being criticized for not taking in Syrian refugees, Saudi Arabia has announced it has taken in a leaf number of them. Why the delay in the announcement? Will the Saudis seek to build a Sunni force out of that 2.5 million? Read More …
Russia calls for greater world support for Syrian government This is a propaganda move to disarm opposition to his recent deployments in Syria. However, it’s difficult to see anything good coming from the defeat or collapse of the Syrian government. British Labour Party chooses Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn represents a return to Read More …
US oil production declining The price of oil has been in steep decline for about a year now. Saudi Arabia and other major producers have not cut back production to boost prices, preferring to undermine one of the chief reasons for the drop – US production based on fracking. The Read More …
Iranian troops now in Syria? Israeli defense figures report the recent deployment of Iranian troops to Syria. This comes close on the heels of Russian moves in Syria, including its advisers taking part in combat, the construction of a compound, and the possibility of Russian aircraft being sent in. Iran Read More …
Israeli Druze leader expresses concern over ISIL ISIL may be able to take up positions near the Golan Heights and then threaten Israel and Jordan. The Downing Reports has long held that Israel would like to see the Syrian Druze population detach from Syria and form a statelet under the Read More …
Israel mobilized its considerable resources in an effort to block the nuclear deal with Iran in congress. Think tanks, lobbies, and the Religious Right denounced the agreement, repeatedly and vociferously, on television and talk shows and most importantly in the senate. Saudi Arabia made the same effort. Nonetheless, the Obama administration thwarted Read More …