Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The Taliban have won and will govern, however cruelly, most of Afghanistan. This day could not have come without substantial support from Pakistan, in particular its army generals. The 2021 offensive launched attacks on three major cities in the south, several in the north, and in provinces Read More …
Brian M Downing Thousands of miles east of Moscow, just northwest of China’s Xinjiang province, Putin faces another problem. Kyrgyzstan, a former SSR, is in turmoil after an obviously rigged election and angry, determined crowds have taken to the streets of Bishkek. As with many SSRs, power is in the Read More …
Reviewed by Brian M Downing ISIL has lost most of its territory in Iraq and Syria, though it’s still present in the arid, sparsely-populated lands straddling the two fragmented countries. The Islamist group also has a presence in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and surrounding areas. ISIL calls this region “Khorasan” – a Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump issued a warning to Pakistan last January and this week he cut $300 million in military aid to our putative ally. Other forms of aid are continuing, however. The reason for the cuts is Islamabad’s support for the Taliban, which has been gaining ground in Read More …
Brian M Downing The Trump administration is concerned about China’s ascendance in world affairs, often at US expense. Its economy will surpass the US’s in a decade or so. Military spending has increased, especially in naval and air might. China’s territorial claims and fortified artificial islands are well known. Beijing’s Read More …
Brian M Downing Since its remarkable offensive of 2014, ISIL has been steadily worn down by Kurdish and Arab forces in Syria and by special forces and militias in Iraq. Both campaigns relied heavily on American support. ISIL retains positions in eastern Syria and western Iraq and was able to Read More …
Brian M Downing Diplomacy has known the Message to Garcia, the Willy-Nicky correspondence, the Zimmerman telegram, and the Zinoviev letter. Now we have President Trump’s tweet claiming Pakistan has been duplicitous in the Afghan war: “The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over Read More …
Brian M Downing Fighting in Afghanistan is seasonal. Although recent warm winters have allowed the war to continue into winter months, most fighting takes place from spring to fall. This year’s fighting season began with considerable dread. The Taliban seemed on the verge of taking Lashkar Gah, the capital of Read More …
Brian M Downing Few people had heard of the Tuareg before the wars in Libya and Mali. The Kurds were better known but the fighting in Iraq and Syria brought them to prominence. The Uighurs, a Muslim Turkic people, will make themselves better known in coming decades. Chinese policies and Read More …
Brian M Downing The Islamist State is seeking to capitalize on its summer offensives in Syria and Iraq by establishing itself as the leader of Islamist militancy – this, at the expense of al Qaeda. Some militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, have sworn allegiance to IS, but thus far Read More …