Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
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 In coming years, a decade or two at most, domestic fiscal and political pressures will force a pullback from many of the US military bases in some eighty-five countries across the globe. For reasons elaborated upon earlier, Persian Gulf bases might be on the cut list. Oil Read More …
Brian M Downing Economic events jolt world affairs. Rising nations look for greater security, power, and territory. Borders change. European powers and the US pursued this agenda in the 19th century. Declining nations seek to hold on to what they have, along their borders and around the globe. Some rethink 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 A new Arab Spring may be coming. It’s not as widespread as the one eight years ago. Only Algeria and the Sudan are presently experiencing serious protests. Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia is determined to prevent democracy from taking hold in the Middle East. It was instrumental in weakening Read More …
Brian M Downing Last month, the Maduro government appeared to be on the way out. Millions of Venezuelans were hungry and demonstrating angrily in the streets. Juan Guadio, a prominent opponent, declared himself interim president and urged his fellow Venezuelans, especially officers and soldiers, to rally to his side. Foreign Read More …
Brian M Downing The Maduro government is facing increasing, concerted opposition from within and without. Unemployment and emigration are high. Inflation has reached Weimar levels. Despite holding the world’s highest oil reserves, production has been falling for years. Today, North Dakota alone produces more oil than all of Venezuela. In Read More …
Brian M Downing The Trump administration and its Saudi allies were relieved as US interest in the Khashoggi assassination receded. The passage of time and midterm elections saw to that. Riyadh, Washington, and Jerusalem breathed easier as their hardline Iran policy seemed back on track. The issue returned to the Read More …
Brian M Downing Over the last decade, Vladimir Putin has embarked on a program of reasserting his country’s power prestige, often at the expense of the United States. Russian naval and air assets menace US ships and planes. The Crimea has been invaded and annexed, the eastern Ukraine is halfway Read More …