Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Muslim Press: How do you analyze Washington’s role in Iran-Iraq war? Brian Downing: The US was in the awkward position of opposing both countries: Iran for the embassy hostage situation and its calls for revolution; Iraq for its brutal government, alignment with the Soviet Union, and hostility to Israel. The Read More …
Is a great Shia-Sunni war in the offing? Brian M Downing Almost 1400 years after the great schism in the Islamic world, sectarian hatreds in the Middle East are higher than in centuries. Princes and mullahs exchange angry words. Proxies fight fierce local wars. Armies of regional powers purchase huge Read More …
The battles of Fallujah and Mosul – and the future or ISIL Brian M Downing I may be crazy, but it looks like the Japs have quit the war, at least in this sector. – Message at outset of the battle of Okinawa Delete all after ‘crazy’. – Admiral Nimitz’s Read More …
Saudi Arabia’s execution of a respected Shia figure has led to outrage in the Shia world and concern in western capitals and human rights organizations. Protesters in Iran, upholding a venerable tradition, attacked and partially burned the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Sunni powers have broken or reduced diplomatic ties with Read More …
The war in Syria is a stalemate and disaster. Civilian casualties are appalling, cities lie in ruins, and people flee the desolation by the tens of thousand. The former country is a training ground for jihadis and terrorists from Morocco to China. Preliminary talks are underway but any agreement is months away, at Read More …
The Syrian civil war, despite movement of the lines here and there, has been stalemated for well over a year. The ongoing Russian-Iranian offensive may retake Aleppo and Idlib, though without having the momentum or numbers to defeat the rebels. World leaders are looking for a solution but trust is low Read More …
The consequences of the 2003 Iraq war have been disastrous – for the US, the Middle East, and most of all, Iraq itself. Surprisingly, even GOP presidential candidates now agree the war was a mistake, even though their standard bearer launched it, albeit with support of many from across the 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 …
Downing Reports: Brian M Downing and the world at war Shortly before leaving his position atop the army high command, and after many years in Iraq, General Ray Odierno gave a candid and insightful presentation. He stated that it it might one day be necessary to place US personnel alongside Read More …
Two months ago, after a string of defeats in both Syria and Iraq, ISIL seized control of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Sunni-dominated Anbar province. The fall of Ramadi once again underscores the power of ISIL and the weakness of the Iraqi army. The expected counterattack, to the surprise Read More …