Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Russia rules out pilot error and structural flaws in Sinai crash With little if any examination of the wreckage, Russian air authorities have claimed that the crash was not due to pilot error or structural problems. They have referred vaguely to “external” causes. Sounds like Russia has an agenda here, Read More …
The war in Syria is a stalemate and disaster. Civilian casualties are appalling, cities lie in ruins, and people flee the desolation by the tens of thousand. The former country is a training ground for jihadis and terrorists from Morocco to China. Preliminary talks are underway but any agreement is months away, at Read More …
US to deploy special forces to advise Syrian rebels The Obama administration, in response to Russian actions, is sending 20-30 advisers to Syria. It is not yet clear which rebel groups will host the SF advisers or if they will direct airstrikes. The ongoing Russian/Iranian-backed offensive isn’t gong very well. ISIL Read More …
Syrian-Russian-Iranian offensive not succesful yet The introduction of fresh troops and airpower was expected to change the war, but it hasn’t. It’s still too early to judge the Russian move a failure, though. If in coming weeks it is clear that to has, Russia and Iran will face the question Read More …
ISIL expanded suddenly over the last year and a half, from half-forgotten bombing outfit in western Iraq to regional danger. It has won the allegiance of unaffiliated Islamist groups as well as those formerly bound to al Qaeda. Attention is on North Africa and the Middle East, but conditions conducive to Read More …
US ponders deeper Syrian involvement The Pentagon has signaled willingness to increase airstrikes in Syria and also to place special forces personnel with rebel forces. This is driven in part by frustration over the slow pace of the ISIL war but also out of feeling need to respond to Russian actions Read More …
Russian airstrikes near Golan Heights Russia has bombed ISIL and al Nusrah Front positons just to the east of Israel. Israel has had a guarded relationship with those two groups but has reportedly given limited help to the al Nusrah Front, which is the al Qaeda affiliate in Syria. Israel Read More …
US rethinking usefulness of training programs In the wake of poor performances by western-trained forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, the US is reevaluating its strategy of relying on US airpower and US-trained ground troops in wars against ISIL and the Taliban. Trainers can teach soldiers how to salute and Read More …
The Syrian civil war, despite movement of the lines here and there, has been stalemated for well over a year. The ongoing Russian-Iranian offensive may retake Aleppo and Idlib, though without having the momentum or numbers to defeat the rebels. World leaders are looking for a solution but trust is low Read More …
Israel and Jordan agree on al Aqsa security The recent violence in Israel and the West Bank has been due to the absence of progress on a Palestinian state but also on efforts by some Israelis to change the norms governing the Temple Mount. US Sec of State Kerry believes a Read More …