Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The Yemen war has been going on since 2014. It’s the most recent civil war since the 1960s when north and south were formed into a single country, despite widely disparate cultures and histories. Today, each side is backed by foreign powers – the north by Iran, Read More …
Brian M Downing As more districts fall concerns mount as to what will become of the country. One of more alarming claims, one used in calls for the US to reconsider withdrawal, is that it will become a sanctuary for al Qaeda and ISIL. The view here has long been Read More …
Brian M Downing The results are in and the hardliners have won. That’s hardly surprising as a guardian council narrowed the field to a handful of hardliners. It’s as though all American candidates were chosen by Red or Blue apparatchiks. Low turnout did not help the reform movement. The winner Read More …
Brian M Downing Candidate Trump talked about ending interminable wars in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. President Trump was so determined to get troops out of Syria that he ordered a pullout twice. The troops are still there. President Biden has ordered a complete pullout from Afghanistan by September 11th of Read More …
Brian M Downing Israel’s usefulness to Russia isn’t what it once was. Russia’s economy is stronger. China, now an ally, has modernized and developed a hi-tech sector. Both powers want to weaken the US and make their axis the most powerful and respected bloc in the world. The Islamic world, Read More …
Brian M Downing Protests over the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem escalated into violence and more recently into widespread fighting. The outcome isn’t in doubt. The Palestinians have only inaccurate homemade rockets and light weapons. The IDF has armor and airpower. Israeli intelligence has infiltrated Hamas and Read More …
Brian M Downing Rewards Hegemony in the Gulf, should China achieve it one day, would be an important step forward in the march to power. It would secure sources of oil and gas, which though of lessening importance to the US and EU, remain critical to China’s booming economy. The Read More …
Brian M Downing Eighty years ago, the American Century began. America had been rising for decades but the global context offered a propitious moment for the country to reach the top. Most European countries soiled soon be in ruins. Their publics would lose the money and will to rule far-flung Read More …
Brian M Downing Myanmar had been making strides toward becoming democracy, until the military stepped in last month. Spirited demonstrations against military rule soon followed. The army followed a pattern established in Russia, Belarus, Thailand and several other continues. Soldiers arrest hundreds each day in the hope detaining much of Read More …
Brian M Downing The Biden administration has three alternatives for Yemen: increase US involvement, step back and let the war proceed as it will, or press hard now for negotiations. Decisive military action The US may assess the present situation as one that can be remedied by immediate, forceful action. Read More …