Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing A Ukrainian offensive is coming. When and where aren’t known. The view here has been that, after probes and feints, a drive into the land bridge will come. This could split Russian forces in the south in two, force a major battle, and endanger the Crimean peninsula. Read More …
Brian M Downing Benjamin Netanyahu has returned to power astride a stridently majoritarian religious-nationalist bloc. His initial acts were harsh crackdowns on Palestinians, dire warnings to Iran, and attempts to weaken the judiciary. In so doing he’s created fierce civil unrest, alienated a good deal of American-Jewish support, and threatened Read More …
Brian M Downing Russia and China now see the war isn’t ending soon but feel time is on their side. They believe democracies are deeply flawed and no longer have the will and martial spirit of modern authoritarian governments, especially those in Moscow and Beijing where dissent and diversity aren’t Read More …
Brian M Downing Russia’s winter offensive continues. Wagner Group and airborne forces are pressing attacks around Bakhmut – north and south of it as well. They are seizing little ground but taking high casualties. Last year Ukraine took Russian punches in a manner likened here to Muhammad Ali’s “rope-a-dope” strategy Read More …
Brian M Downing US and aligned forces in Syria have come under intermittent attacks over the years – by ISIL, government and rebel groups, Iranian militias, and even Putin’s Wagner Group. The attacks stepped up last week as Iranian drones hit US positions in the east. The US responded quickly Read More …
Brian M Downing The view here has long been that China, along with Russia, would gain influence in the Persian Gulf at the US’s expense. Beijing took an important step last week when it brokered an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to reopen diplomatic ties. The UAE, another Sunni Read More …
Brian M Downing Iran slipped in importance when Russia invaded Ukraine. The mullahs and generals have returned to center stage, nudged by allies and enemies but mostly on their own. They have crushed dissidents, supplied Russia with weapons, and enriched uranium near weapons-grade levels. The advancing nuclear program makes attacks Read More …
Director: Edward Berger 6.5/10 Twenty minutes into this, the third film of the masterful Remarque novel, it was clear this one has little to do with the book. That isn’t necessarily a problem. Terrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line is only loosely based on the James Jones novel but it’s Read More …
Brian M Downing China will one day have the strongest economy in the world. But without a powerful, aligned Russia, it can only be a regional military power. No Russian ally, no Chinese preeminence. Everyone’s watching Putin’s offensive which he believes will turn the tide. China is watching more keenly Read More …
Brian M Downing China and Russia, though enemies for centuries, have aligned to weaken the West and create a new world order dominated from Beijing and Moscow. Putin discussed the Ukraine war with his partner not long before he crossed the border a year ago. Xi is the senior partner, Read More …