Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Russia’s deployment of fighter aircraft and troops to Syria has overshadowed similar moves by Iran. The Islamic Republic, a longstanding Syrian ally, has sent about four thousand Shia fighters recruited from Afghanistan’s Hazara people and Iraq’s Arab majority, and reportedly a small contingent of its own ground troops as well. Read More …
Last month, under the weight of rebel pressure, the Syrian army pulled back from northern Syria. Since then Russia has deployed scores of attack aircraft and begun an air campaign, mostly on non-ISIL factions. Iran, too, has increased its support for a beleaguered ally. IRGC advisers have been in country for Read More …
Not long ago, American power and beliefs appeared unchallenged in the world. The Soviet Union was gone, generals in developing nations were heading back to the barracks, and democracy was everywhere on the rise. We had, in the famous words, reached the end of history. Open economic and political systems Read More …
Israel mobilized its considerable resources in an effort to block the nuclear deal with Iran in congress. Think tanks, lobbies, and the Religious Right denounced the agreement, repeatedly and vociferously, on television and talk shows and most importantly in the senate. Saudi Arabia made the same effort. Nonetheless, the Obama administration thwarted Read More …
The nuclear pact inked by the P5+1 and Iran, though not yet ratified, offers the opportunity for Iran to shed its parish-state label and reenter the world of nations. It has been largely excluded since the 1979 Revolution but especially so after opposition grew to its nuclear program in recent Read More …
The recent nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 brings hope for political reform in Iran. This is especially so among the middle classes of Tehran and other urban areas. The impending end to sanctions by much of the world, they believe, will bring greater prosperity and an easing of Read More …
Little surprise that there is a sizable ISIL following inside Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s Wahhabi understanding of Islam is militant and anti-western and meshes fairly well, though not precisely, with jihadi thought. Many of the fighters in ISIL and the several al Qaeda franchises come from Saudi Arabia and a Read More …
Brian M Downing As the Iranian nuclear talks neared preliminary agreement, and as the Houthis drove into southern Yemen, world leaders and commentators warned that Iran is on the rise in the Middle East. This, they continued, had to be stopped by imposing tougher sanctions and opposing the Houthis, perhaps Read More …
Brian M Downing [An article I wrote in 2015 for the Council on Global Relations which argues in part that Yemen cannot continue as a single state and should be divided. The recent coup attempt which aimed at separating north and south might make this piece worth another look.] Yemen has Read More …
Brian M Downing The world, it would be fair to say, is in disarray. Most economies are sluggish, political paralysis and decay are everywhere, and appallingly brutal militant groups are on the march. Nonetheless, despite fighting near vital oil fields in the Gulf region, the price of oil – inordinately Read More …