Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
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 …
The House of Saud tries to modernize (at last) Brian M Downing Saudi Arabia has announced bold economic moves. Weeks ago Riyadh floated the idea of selling shares in its oil industry to shore up cash reserves, and more recently it announced an ambitious program of building an industrial base. This, the Read More …
Riyadh has announced it would participate in coalition ground operations in the Syrian civil war. The statement loses boldness when it’s noted that there are no such ground operations in the offing. The Saudis have accomplished two things with the proclamation. First, they have, to some extent, countered the Read More …
Over the last eighteen months the territory ISIL controls in Iraq and Syria has shrunk significantly. The Kurds have driven its forces out of most of their autonomous region. The Iraqi army, despite egregious corruption and a dearth of fighting spirit, has retaken Tikrit and is encircling Ramadi. ISIL, and Islamist militancy Read More …
Brian M Downing Wars bring formidable changes to countries, even if they are fortunate enough not to have fighting on their own soil. The US was transformed by the Second World War and Vietnam, both politically and culturally, in the course of only a few years. The Middle East was Read More …
Brian M Downing The Islamic State’s fearsome offensive in northern and central Iraq has stalled owing to indigenous ground troops and western airpower. In some places, IS has been forced to retreat, beginning a new phase in its effort to bring unification to Muslims of the world, whether they want Read More …
Brian M Downing Recent events have shown the ineffectiveness of armies in the Middle East, from Libya to Iraq, and extending beyond the region into Afghanistan. Training missions can teach troops to shoot and march and salute, but not to hold up under fire. Several armies have struggled or collapsed Read More …
Brian M Downing In June, well equipped Iraqi troops trained by the US and other powers collapsed before a smaller and less well equipped force led by men who had little military experience until they plunged into wars in Iraq and Syria. Shadows of doubt have been cast on the Read More …
Brian M Downing The West and key Gulf states are trying to find a political arrangement to bring ground troops to bear on the Islamic State. Clearly, Kurdish troops are one of the most promising options. Though landlocked, Kurdistan’s oil resources, militias, and increasing autonomy from Baghdad will make it Read More …
Brian M Downing The US’s dominant position in the world is no longer the certainty it was only a few years ago. A major withdrawal from world affairs is thought inevitable. Fiscal crisis, it is often argued, will force cuts in defense spending and require the removal of troops from Read More …