Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Hobbesistan is here – and so is a competition to control it Brian M Downing Large swathes of the Islamic world, from West Africa through the Middle East East to Central Asia, are no longer under the control of any government, save for self-proclaimed ones. Uprisings, insurgencies, and foreign interventions have Read More …
The battle of Raqqa – and Russia’s opportunity Brian M Downing The ISIL War is reaching an important junction. The Islamist movement has lost momentum and given up a lot of the territory which it claimed to be its caliphate. ISIL is bracing for major battles in Mosul in Iraq Read More …
(More) mission creep in Iraq Brian M Downing Late in Bush the Younger’s second term, Iraq ordered US troops to leave by the end of 2011, and the US complied. Iraq decided on US military trainers for its new army. So, some US troops in fact remained. Since then, al Qaeda Read More …
Donald Trump takes on Saudi Arabia – and foreign policy Brian M Downing Throughout the presidential campaign Donald Trump has spoken freely and often harshly of many individuals and groups. He recently bluntly noted Saudi Arabia’s AWOL status in the ISIL War, even though it takes place not far from Read More …
The Syrian army retakes Palmyra – and looks to the east Brian M Downing The ceasefire in the Syrian civil war has held far better than most observers thought possible. The Syrian army has used the lull in fighting to attack Palmyra, which has been held by ISIL – a Read More …
Another fighting season in Afghanistan – and perhaps a decisive one Brian M Downing The Afghan war is seasonal. Fighting begins in the spring and relents in the early winter, though warmer weather this year protracted the fighting. Last year was the Taliban’s best showing in years. It demonstrated surprising Read More …
War, peace, and Islam today Brian M Downing Not all followers of Islam hate the West. Nor do even a majority of followers. Polling data in the Islamic world show no great hostility toward the US, only opposition to many US policies. Islam is far from a religion of peace. Read More …
Meir Dagan died today. He spent his life in the Israeli military and in Mossad. He was highly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud, especially its foreign policy. He famously called Netanyahu’s claims about Iran’s nuclear program “bullshit”. Below is a piece I wrote on him in 2012. When Meir Read More …
Putin pulls back in Syria Brian M Downing As unexpectedly as it sent forces into Syria last fall, Russia is now withdrawing them – or least it has begun to. Monday’s announcement referred to the “main part” being pulled out. What has the short-lived deployment accomplished? What lies ahead for Read More …
Ebb tide for democracy in the world? Brian M Downing Democracy was on the rise not long ago. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and democracies replaced politburos. Twenty years later, authoritarian regimes across North Africa and the Middle East were jarred by the Arab Spring. While democracy has endured Read More …