Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The focus of the Ukraine War is shifting. Thus far, attention has been on Kharkiv in the northeast and of course on Kiev to the west. However, Russian troops have been moving along the Black Sea coast from the Crimea toward Odessa. Naval gunfire is presently coming Read More …
Brian M Downing Over the last twenty years, Putin has made use of Russia’s immense territory and overseas presence to challenge the West, especially the US. His planes and ships menace ours from the Baltic to the Black to the Mediterranean Seas. His mercenaries probe Western-backed forces in Libya and Read More …
Brian M Downing The Russian invasion of Ukraine is becoming increasingly murderous. Ukrainian soldiers and civilians are putting up fierce resistance and the West continues to send in effective weaponry. Wars, as John Nef tells us, bring innovation. One innovation can inflict considerable damage on Russia’s ability to wage war. Read More …
Brian M Downing Discipline is essential to armies. It can be achieved through able and perhaps even personable leaders, an unquestionably just cause, pay incentives, or corporal punishment. Most armies have all four. The Russian army’s leaders are of dubious quality, pay is low, and there hasn’t been a just Read More …
Brian M Downing European militaries were once led mainly by aristocrats. Owning an estate bestowed the privilege of leading regiments and armies. The middle-classes were only sparsely found; navies were more welcoming to them. The Napoleonic conflicts and a few decades later the Crimean War showed deep problems with aristocratic Read More …
Brian M Downing The Russian army is immense and well-equipped and backed by a large air force and cyber-warfare section. The war is only in its second week but thus far it isn’t going well. The military faces fierce urban battles and guerrilla warfare which in months to come will Read More …
Brian M Downing China and Russia put aside centuries of conflict and forged an alliance to weaken US global power. Each power has pricked US positions along the Eurasian land mass, looking for weaknesses in Washington and its allies. China is an economic power with a growing navy. Russia Read More …
Brian M Downing During the buildup to war, western analysts expected Putin to understand military and global realities. The view here was that his campaign would be limited to seizing territory in the east and driving toward Kiev in order to force Zelensky’s hand. Others thought the effort would be Read More …
Brian M Downing The war has begun. Russian ground, air, and naval forces have attacked the Ukraine along several fronts. The view here since early December was that Putin would restrict his campaign to seizing the east and securing lines of communication to the Crimea, which he invaded and annexed Read More …
Brian M Downing Putin’s rule is highly personal and despotic. He’s built a cult of personality – something that Russians had hoped ended with Stalin. There’s no institution or process to ensure orderly succession, leaving Russia open to turmoil upon his death. That concerns many Russians. Putin’s foreign policy may Read More …