Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
When Saigon fell, and the last Huey was pushed into the sea, Americans looked back with dismay on the foreign entanglements that had culminated in calamity. Those who cared to look ahead saw little prospect of war. Surely, they thought, the nation had learned from a war that had Read More …
Syrian rebels strike near Russian base Two powerful blasts have struck Latakia, a port on the Mediterranean and home to a new Russian airbase. Early reports inside 23 dead and 40 wounded. No mention of Russian casualties. The rebels have shown the ability to strike deep in the Shia/Alawi homeland Read More …
Kurdish offensive on Sinjar stalls The town of Sinjar lies just west of ISIL-occupied Sinjar, and taking Sinjar would cut off Mosul from the rest of ISIL in Syria and Iraq. Kurdish factionalism is still overriding the need for unified action against ISIL. Combined with the weakness and corruption of the Iraqi Read More …
Russia is asserting itself in the world, challenging American policies in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Russian troops helped annex the Crimea and are doing the same in the Eastern Ukraine. Russian aircraft and advisers recently deployed into Syria to strengthen its position in the Middle East. Cold War Read More …
ISIL affiliate in Sinai to lane for Russian plane disaster? “Sinai Province” is an ISIL group operating in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula which is not under Cairo’s writ. Bedouin groups and al Qaeda groups also operate there. The military coup that ousted the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 and drove the MB Read More …
Syrian government offensive slowed, pushed back in places The much vaunted Russian-Iranian-backed offensive in northern Syria is not going well. US and Saudi aid to rebels has increased to counter the moves by Russia and Iran. The TOW missile is seen as especially important in blunting the drives, but this Read More …
BBC urges caution in Sinai plane crash Thank goodness someone is. Thus far we have evidence of a midair breakup and a heat flash. A bomb may have been responsible, but the evidence is also consistent with a fuel tank explosion and an engine explosion. Investigators will look for shrapnel, traces of explosives, and Read More …
The Iran nuclear deal led many to think that Iran was opening up to the world, including the West, especially the US. Theocracy would give way to reform. This, it would appear, was a false hope. Americans have been detained and convicted under unclear circumstances. Iranian troops have deployed to Read More …
Syrian army makes some headway After weeks of Russian air support, the Syrian army is making limited advances in the north, taking a key town linking Aleppo to the south. All in all, however, the recent offensive has not met with great success. Rebel backers are increasing their arms to anti-government Read More …
Iraqi parliament blocks reform In the wake of ISIL’s offensive into northern Iraq last year, PM Abadi tried to weed out ineptitude and graft in the army and state. Parliament, where corruption and graft are rife and whose members are part of the network of corruption, has blocked Abadi’s reforms. US effort Read More …