Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing This week’s assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey has highlighted the international complexities and domestic consequences of the Syrian civil war. The assassin, a young policeman, denounced Russia’s role in the battle of Aleppo and added praise for jihad, presumably against Russia and its regional partners. Read More …
President Trump faces the war in Afghanistan Brian M Downing Throughout the presidential campaign Donald Trump proclaimed that he would see that America won again. Early in his presidency he will have to deal with the resurgent Taliban which as winter ends, will be beginning a new offensive. His national security Read More …
President Trump takes on the Middle East – Iran Brian M Downing No newly-elected president has caused more anxiety and speculation than Donald Trump. His hastily proposed polices and mercurial temperament worry foreign leaders and fellow Republicans alike. Many US foreign policy experts have publicly declared him unfit for the presidency. Read More …
Russia looks for opportunities in Iraq Brian M Downing Russia and the United States are engaged in Cold War Two – a global contest for influence, trade, military bases, and power. Russia, in conjunction with China, want to establish hegemony in the Eurasian land mass, including the Middle East. Read More …
Apocalypse soon in the battle of Mosul? Brian M Downing The fight for Mosul is underway. Surrounding villages have fallen, ISIL has launched spoiling attacks, Iraqi special forces are nearing the city itself. ISIL fighters have the advantage in combat effectiveness and in fighting from defensive positions in urban areas, Read More …
US policy and the future of a unified Syria Brian M Downing Secretary of State Kerry has repeated the administration’s commitment to keeping Syria a united country, as it was before public protest turned into civil war. His statement comes along with a ceasefire agreement with Russia and the announcement Read More …
The grisly executions of last year and the recent Paris attacks have brought increased commitment from major powers to fight ISIL. The US, France, Germany, and Britain are conducting or supporting airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. Russia purports to be doing the same in Syria, and occasionally does. The agreement Read More …
President Putin has raised the Russian profile in Syria. He has sent in new armored vehicles, deployed advisers alongside government troops, and ordered work on a housing compound for several hundred more troops – the latter move setting off speculation about the scope and intent of the Read More …
After Vietnam, the American military was scorned, the prospect of another war seemed impossible. Yet since then, the military has become lionized and has fought two wars and numerous smaller actions. Andrew Bacevich – West Pointer, Vietnam veteran, and professor of international studies – attributes this change to the creation of two powerful Read More …
While many parts of the world have called the Iranian nuclear deal a triumph of diplomacy, Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has branded it an “historic mistake, even though international inspection teams will monitor the number of centrifuges and see that Iran’s uranium is well below weapons grade. The Read More …