Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Russian missile strikes dismissed as “bravado” The missiles Russia launched into Syria yesterday were in and of themselves of little military significance. The same damage could have been down with airstrikes. So, according to the Pentagon, it was showmanship. However, that particular cruise missile goes supersonic for its final “sprint” to Read More …
Russia, after the collapse of communism and ensuing weakness, has found new strength and resolve. President Putin is acting more boldly if not belligerently in the world, initially in Crimea and the eastern Ukraine, now in Syria. Two chief aims are to restore his country to great power status and Read More …
ISIS shifting its propaganda? In recent months, ISIL has shifted its “public relations” campaign from grisly executions to routine government. My contention from 2014 was that ISIL had hit a wall in terms of military expansion and might present itself as the defender of the Sunni faith in Syria and Read More …
Russian “volunteers” to fight in Syria Russian announced it would send “volunteer” ground troops to fight in Syria. This suggests that the Syrian army is far weaker than thought. Look for Iran to match this move, if they haven’t done so already. Earlier reports of Iranian ground troops have not Read More …
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) calls for independent inquiry into Kunduz bombing The airstrike on a Kunduz hospital that killed 22 people is still reverberating. MSF, which had personnel in the hospital, does not want the issue handled by the Afghan and American authorities. Information is still coming in, but it’s Read More …
Taliban continue fighting in Kunduz province Having failed to hold on to Kunduz city, the Taliban have launched attacks in the parts of Kunduz province. They were able to leave the city with sizable quantities of ammunition and other supplies. Iranian ground troops in Syria? There’ve been reports of Iranian Read More …
In a bold and well-orchestrated offensive, the Taliban swept into the northern Afghan city of Kunduz. Many observers wondered if they were seeing a repeat of the ISIL offensives against Mosul last year and against Ramadi this year. Some wondered if the Afghan army (ANA), after years of hard Read More …
Taliban lose control of Kunduz The Taliban may have lost Kunduz shortly after taking it. Three things are important here. First, many Afghan troops failed to put up a fight. Second, the counteroffensive was led by Afghan special forces troops and special forces from unspecified western countries. (They were probably Read More …
Battle for Kunduz continues The Afghan army’s counterattack against the Taliban isn’t going well, despite western air support. Local ANA commanders admit their troops lack the resolve to fight and UN special forces are being put into the fight. Meanwhile, the Taliban may be trying to hold onto the city, Read More …
ANA launches effort to retake Kunduz A day after the capital of Kunduz, or parts of it, fell to the Taliban, the Afghan army has begun an effort to retake it. US airpower will help but neither Washington nor Kabul wants to see the city flattened. Over the last Read More …