Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Saudis form “anti-terrorism” partnership Saudi Arabia has formed a vast alliance, of sorts, with fellow Gulf principalities, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, as well as aver two dozen other states. Look for sharing of intelligence and joint training exercises, but not much else. This alliance is at least as anti-Shia/Iran as it Read More …
American special forces engaged in combat in Afghanistan The NY Times reports that US special forces have been secretly engaged in combat for the last few months. They are now in the southwestern province of Helmand. Afghan forces are said to be dispirited from corruption and constant fighting. Several years Read More …
It’s been almost three months since Iran and Russia increased efforts to bolster the flagging troops of the Assad government – Russia with advisers and airpower, Iran with advisers and ground troops. Their aims are not precisely known but they likely want either to decisively defeat the rebels, or Read More …
Opposition to Turkey’s presence in Kurdistan builds Turkey deployed troops into Kurdistan, which is still legally part of Iraq, in order to defend a business partner. Kurdistan is at war with ISIL but there have also been skirmishes between Kurdish troops and Arab-Shia militias aligned with Baghdad – and Iran. Read More …
US airstrikes cripple ISIL at Ramadi The Pentagon estimates that its airstrikes have killed 350 ISIL troops in or near the Anbar capital. Such estimates should not be taken as precise. Nonetheless, when ISIL has to concentrate its troops, as at Kobane, Sinjar, and now Ramadi, airpower can deliver devastating blows. al Read More …
Expectations that Iran would move closer to the US after the nuclear deal have to be put aside, at least for the foreseeable future. Supreme Leader Khameini has closed off further dialog with Washington, synchronized the media with the mullahs and generals, tested the limits of the nuclear deal, and aligned his country’s foreign policy Read More …
US plans a network of bases from N Africa to Afghanistan to counter ISIL As ISIl continues to expand by attracting Islamist groups throughout the Islamic world, the US will likely build a network of bases to counter them. Afghanistan will be a hub to fight not only in Afghanistan Read More …
Iraqi troops retake parts of Ramadi After many months of sluggish efforts, the Iraqi army, combined with Shia militias and backed by US airpower, has finally entered Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province which fell to ISIL last spring. ISIL has the best troops but they cannot stand up to Read More …
The Afghan War is seasonal. Most ground fighting takes place from spring to early winter, after which intermittent bombings and terrorist strikes occur. The Taliban showed considerable strength in this year’s fighting season, more than thought possible by many observers (yes, including me). The Taliban nonetheless face critical fissures that Read More …
Islamist militant leaders killed by US The ISIL commander in Libya and an al Shabab leaders in Somalia were killed in separate US strikes. While such moves are welcome, they do not constitute a serious loss to either ISIL or al Shabab. In order to disrupt the command and control of Read More …