Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Mohammed bin Salman, the 33-year-old heir apparent to the Saudi throne, has been aggressively consolidating his power. Though initiating welcome reforms, he has come down hard on dissent and continued wars in Syria and Yemen. Neither conflict is going well, but the prince has skillfully maneuvered other Read More …
Brian M Downing Arms sales are increasingly important in world affairs – to buyers and sellers alike. The US isn’t in lockstep with the Gulf monarchies against Iran because of oil imports. American imports from the Middle East have dwindled over the last two decades or so. The tilt is Read More …
Brian M Downing The Persian Gulf principality of Qatar, despite its small population and size, has used its spectacular oil and gas wealth to become an important actor both in the Persian Gulf and throughout the Middle East. It has avoided becoming a client-state to the US, Saudi Arabia, or Iran and in Read More …
Brian M Downing Sectarian tensions are high, probably as high as they’ve been in many centuries. This stems in part from the Iranian Revolution of 1979 when the Sunni monarchies shuddered at Khomeini’s call for uprisings. More proximately, tensions stem from the Arab Spring when the same monarchs misinterpreted broad-based Read More …
The US wades into Libya Brian M Downing The West is stepping up its activity in the Libyan civil war. Fearing that ISIL is establishing a statelet, the West is about to provide arms and more advisers to the forces backing the Government of National Accord. NATO troops and airpower Read More …