Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Taliban seize parts of Kunduz city The Taliban have been operating boldly in Kunduz province, though not the city. But they have seized parts of the city, hoisting their flags in the city center. It’s unlikely they will be able to hold it. The pattern over the last few years has Read More …
Close on the heels of last April’s China-Pakistan agreement to build a communication corridor connecting the two countries, comes word of a similar arrangement. India, Iran, and Afghanistan have agreed to build a corridor running from northwestern Afghanistan to the Iranian port of Chabahar. The deal comes shortly after the P5+1 nuclear Read More …
Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Syria to coordinate against ISIL This announcement is bound to annoy Washington as it brings Russia further into the Middle East. It stems in part from Washington’s refusal to see that ousting Assad is less important than combating/defeating ISIL. Don’ expect much to come of this Read More …
Saudi and Yemeni troops clash The Houthis are losing ground in the south and the capital of Sanaa will soon be besieged. However, the Houthis have struck along the northern border with Saudi Arabia, thereby punishing the Saudis for their bombing campaign and support for southern Sunnis. US-backed troops in Read More …
Saudi Arabia under fire The deaths of over 700 pilgrims at Mecca has led to criticism of the Saudi government. As would be expected, Iran is especially vocal, in part because several dozen of its people were killed. Iran is seeking to undermine Saudi Arabia’s leading position in the Islamic Read More …
Russia to conduct naval maneuvers in Mediterranean Fresh from beginning an airbase in Syria, Russia is about to conduct naval exercises in the Med. Part of those exercises may include a visit to the Russian naval base at Tartus, Syria. Syria uses recently acquired Russian jets against ISIL Syria has Read More …
Retired US general offers plan for Syria In a sweeping criticism of the administration’s failures in Syria, General David Petraeus has made some recommendations to congress. He calls for the US to establish safe zones for friendly rebels, counter the Syrian government’s barrel bombings, to look into placing ground teams Read More …
Iraqi soldiers prominent among refugees Facing the possibility of years of fighting and the fact of poor leadership, Iraqi military personnel are fleeing their country and heading for Europe. This of course will weaken Iraq in its fight with ISIL. Chinese military expresses concern over troops cuts As expected here, Read More …
Syria (and Russia) launch attacks on ISIL In an effort to rehabilitate their images and stabilize the Assad government, Syria and Russia have begun attacks, from the air for now, on ISIL positions near Palmyra. They will present themselves as a potent force against Islamist militancy and attempt to deflect Read More …
French trade delegation heads for Iran With international sanctions peeling away, many countries are eager to establish trade with Iran, a country with 80 million people, many of them middle-class, western-leaning, and with disposable incomes that reset to rise. American businesses will, for now, hold back. Other countries will benefit. Read More …