Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Presidents Trump and Xi have bickered over trade for two years. The US claims China has excessive trade surpluses, manipulates its currency, and steals intellectual property. The bickering seems to be escalating into a trade war. However, there’s so little consistency in Washington today that a Read More …
Brian M Downing Last week President Trump halted strikes on Iran which he ordered in retaliation for attacks on a US drone and several foreign tankers. He avers it was because of last-minute casualty estimates from generals, but this is unlikely. More likely it was because of opposition from the Read More …
Brian M Downing Late last week President Trump ordered airstrikes on Iran in retaliation for attacks on a US drone and several foreign oil tankers. The reprisals were called off not long before launch. The president claims he canceled them because generals apprised him of sobering casualty estimates late in Read More …
Brian M Downing The Trump foreign policy team came to power amid growing competition between the US and a Sino-Russian alignment. That alignment is determined to reduce American power in the world and replace it with their own. The competition has been underway since China emerged as an economic power Read More …
Brian M Downing Candidate Trump sounded ominous warnings toward Iran which continued into his presidency. He withdrew the US from the JCPOA, reimposed sanctions, and is trying to bring Tehran’s oil exports down to a trickle. Only Saudi Arabia, the GCC states, and Israel support the US. Fighting seemed near Read More …
Brian M Downing The Trump administration has increased the military presence around Iran. This was in response to intelligence reports that Iran was moving missiles around the Persian Gulf. American media reported the Iranian moves endangered US troops in the region. Previous administrations have made similar moves. The Obama administration Read More …
Brian M Downing Candidate Trump promised to break from the JCPOA and press hard on Iran. He asserted that Tehran was expanding its power in the Middle East, supporting terrorism, and continuing to develop nuclear weapons. President Trump has kept his word in this regard. The US has left the Read More …
Brian M Downing China has been expanding its presence across the world, especially in Africa and South Asia. The Chinese see the process as a welcome and even inevitable historical process whereby they reattain their rightful place as center of the world. Of course, not everyone sees this in the Read More …
Reviewed by Brian M Downing The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been central to Iran’s domestic and foreign security since the war with Iraq in the 80s. Afterward it expanded into many parts of the state, economy, and society. Recently it’s been active in Iraq and Syria. Today the Read More …
Brian M Downing The US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are determined to bring change to Iran. They claim it’s violating the JCPOA, supporting terrorism, and aggressively expanding its influence in the region. The US has reimposed sanctions. More will follow in the autumn. This three-power entente wants to soften demand Read More …