Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Last spring youthful demonstrators filled the streets to protest Beijing’s effort to consolidate its grip. The population of the former British colony is accustomed to representative government and the rule of law and sees Beijing determined to impose its authoritarian will. Democratic movements are also taking Read More …
Brian M Downing This week marks thirty years since the remarkable student demonstrations in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. The movement is often seen as a pivotal moment in China’s history. A potent democratic opposition challenged a statist leadership. It was crushed by the People’s Liberation Army. Estimates vary but at least Read More …
Brian M Downing Strategic alignments are usually based on compelling economic and military interests. But as argued previously, the US and Saudi Arabia are moving in different directions economically and militarily. The US is no longer buying crude from the Gulf and may not be able to afford to keep Read More …
Brian M Downing The decades-old partnership between the US and Saudi Arabia is showing strain. Relations will worsen over US oil exports, human rights concerns, antipathy toward the kingdom, support for Israel, fiscal problems, and changing priorities. Oil production The cornerstone of the US-Saudi partnership has long been oil. Read More …
I long for the vanished gardens of Cordoba. However, before the gardens must come the fighting. Prince Feisal, in Lawrence of Arabia Brian M Downing The United States and Saudi Arabia have been aligned since President Roosevelt and King Abdul Aziz parleyed aboard a US warship near the end Read More …
Brian M Downing The Arab Spring was so promising back in 2011. In Libya, Qaddafi was overthrown and killed by a coalition of popular militias. People power in the Maghreb. A representative government was sure to follow, once all those militias disbanded and their leaders formed a transitional government. Didn’t Read More …
Brian M Downing The Arab Spring of 2011 was so promising. Centuries of corrupt, oligarchic rule would come to an ignominious end and government would be in the hands of young, educated people. The smartphone and social media would overwhelm clubs and tear gas. A few years on, little has Read More …
Brian M Downing The US has entered into an alliance with Saudi Arabia, Israel, and several Gulf states to weaken Iran. The project is based less on American security interests than on those of the partners. It aims to weaken Iran by imposing sanctions, supporting insurgencies, and encouraging internal opposition Read More …
Brian M Downing The US-led campaign in Iraq booted out Saddam Hussein, disbanded his army, and set up elections. A frail democracy has been in place for over a decade. The position here is that Iraq is not fertile soil for democratic government. Sectarianism, factionalism, tribalism, and corruption pose serious Read More …
Brian M Downing The 2003 invasion of Iraq, we are told, was done to ensure Saddam Hussein didn’t have WMDs. However, days before the shooting started, the Bush administration framed the war as an effort to bring democracy to Iraq. That was an interesting shift in rhetoric from hard-nosed security Read More …