Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Five weeks on, the war has changed remarkably, welcomingly, and probably irreversibly. The Russians are withdrawing from areas northwest of Kyiv, abandoning pockets of soldiers and tons of equipment. Troops around Kharkiv may soon hie north too. Ukrainian troops will soon near the border with Belarus. This Read More …
Brian M Downing Putin’s blitzkrieg has failed. Large-scale armored thrusts couldn’t take Kiev or Kharkiv and have met with only limited success along the Black Sea. He doesn’t have a Guderian or Rommel to boldly implement his orders, only a Keitel and Jodl to dutifully click their heels. The situation Read More …
Brian M Downing Russia announced Friday that it’s scaling back operations in the north and concentrating on the east, portions of which it’s occupied since 2014. The announcement is as close as can be expected to admitting the effort to conquer Ukraine has failed. The Ukrainians have inflicted egregious casualties Read More …
Brian M Downing Putin’s blitzkrieg has failed. Ukrainian troops fighting with superior determination and weapons have blunted it. Putin’s hope to exploit fissures in NATO has fizzled as well. The alliance is stronger than at any time since the ink dried on the treaty. The alliance may even add Finland Read More …
Brian M Downing The view presented here in parts 1-3 is that the Russian army is flawed. Some 25% of its troops are poorly-trained and indifferently-motivated conscripts who do not fit well with dedicated regulars. Promotions from field grade to general staff are often based on political loyalties not professional Read More …
Brian M Downing The focus of the Ukraine War is shifting. Thus far, attention has been on Kharkiv in the northeast and of course on Kiev to the west. However, Russian troops have been moving along the Black Sea coast from the Crimea toward Odessa. Naval gunfire is presently coming Read More …
Brian M Downing Over the last twenty years, Putin has made use of Russia’s immense territory and overseas presence to challenge the West, especially the US. His planes and ships menace ours from the Baltic to the Black to the Mediterranean Seas. His mercenaries probe Western-backed forces in Libya and Read More …
Brian M Downing The Russian invasion of Ukraine is becoming increasingly murderous. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are putting up fierce resistance and the West continues to send in effective weaponry. Wars, as John Nef tells us, bring innovation. One innovation can inflict considerable damage on Russia’s ability to wage war. Read More …
Brian M Downing Discipline is essential to armies. It can be achieved through able and perhaps even personable leaders, an unquestionably just cause, pay incentives, or corporal punishment. Most armies have all four. The Russian army’s leaders are of dubious quality, pay is low, and there hasn’t been a just Read More …
Brian M Downing European militaries were once led mainly by aristocrats. Owning an estate bestowed the privilege of leading regiments and armies. The middle-classes were only sparsely found; navies were more welcoming to them. The Napoleonic conflicts and a few decades later the Crimean War showed deep problems with aristocratic Read More …