Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Western ground combat forces in Afghanistan will be gone by the end of this year. British and United States units are furling their guidons and boarding transport planes for the journey home. Concern over the ability of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to stand up against Read More …
Carter Malkasian, War Comes to Garmser: Thirty Years of Conflict on the Afghan Frontier. (London: C Hurst & Co Publishers; New York: Oxford University Press, 2013). Reviewed by Brian M Downing A government that is losing to an insurgency isn’t being out-fought, it’s being out-governed. – Bernard Fall In 1972, Read More …
Brian M Downing After the absence of meaningful discussions with the Taliban over the winter, the latter’s spring offensive has begun, chiefly with a wave on IED attacks but also a sizable ground attack in eastern Afghanistan. The new fighting season comes amid reports of widespread war-weariness in the country Read More …
Or why is Putin being so helpful? Brian M Downing The US is now sending almost all its supplies for the Afghan war through Russia or countries obedient to Moscow. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan would not allow US convoys had Russian President Vladimir Putin not sanctioned it. This route has taken Read More …
Brian M Downing Relations between the United States and Pakistan have deteriorated badly over the past year. Pakistan was initially embarrassed when US Special Forces found and killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden just down the street from a Pakistani army camp, but the country – or at least its Read More …
Brian M Downing The US is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan though the recent agreement with President Ahmid Karzai indicates that the US will retain a significant presence, civilian and military, for many years to come. It is unclear how many western troops will remain but the level will certainly be Read More …
Brian M Downing This week brought news that the United States was releasing a number of Taliban figures of mid-to-high standing in the insurgent group’s political and military apparatus. This is a good sign of efforts to bring about meaningful peace talks, which were thought to have been on hold Read More …
Brian M Downing The United States is withdrawing troops from Afghanistan though the recent agreement with President Hamid Karzai indicates that the US will retain a significant presence, civilian and military, for many years to come. It is unclear how many Western troops will remain but the level will certainly Read More …
Reviewed by Brian M Downing With the US ensnarled in the Afghan insurgency and Pakistan headed toward implosion, Af-Pak and the countries around it are in crisis. Renowned journalist Ahmed Rashid offers a series of essays drawn from his connections to figures in the state, army, and insurgent groups which Read More …
Brian M Downing The war in Afghanistan has been stalemated for several years now and eyes are turning to a negotiated settlement. In recent weeks, talks between the United States and the Taliban have come and gone, but they will almost assuredly return. As welcome as these bilateral talks are, Read More …