Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing The Taliban appear unstoppable and Kabul is in trouble. Districts are falling one after the other and the army may disintegrate into ethnic militias, warlord bands, and roving bands. Kabul will face siege in a few months. That raises worries about the US embassy. It became immense Read More …
Brian M Downing As more districts fall concerns mount as to what will become of the country. One of more alarming claims, one used in calls for the US to reconsider withdrawal, is that it will become a sanctuary for al Qaeda and ISIL. The view here has long been Read More …
Brian M Downing As the US continues to withdraw, the Taliban is making alarming advances. ANA outposts are falling, often with little if any resistance, several districts are going over to Taliban control, and nooses are tightening around major cities. The situation will continue to deteriorate. US air power, advisors, Read More …
Brian M Downing The results are in and the hardliners have won. That’s hardly surprising as a guardian council narrowed the field to a handful of hardliners. It’s as though all American candidates were chosen by Red or Blue apparatchiks. Low turnout did not help the reform movement. The winner Read More …
Brian M Downing Candidate Trump talked about ending interminable wars in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. President Trump was so determined to get troops out of Syria that he ordered a pullout twice. The troops are still there. President Biden has ordered a complete pullout from Afghanistan by September 11th of Read More …
Brian M Downing Israel’s usefulness to Russia isn’t what it once was. Russia’s economy is stronger. China, now an ally, has modernized and developed a hi-tech sector. Both powers want to weaken the US and make their axis the most powerful and respected bloc in the world. The Islamic world, Read More …
Brian M Downing Israel’s relationship with the Soviet Union and Russia have changed markedly over the years. Moscow sent arms to Haganah as it fought the British in the early days of the Cold War. After that, however, Moscow backed Arab states. More recently Israel and Russia have built good Read More …
Brian M Downing Part one argued that Netanyahu’s crackdown on Palestinians is endangering his country’s security arrangements with Arab allies, especially Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. He’s also endangering Israel’s position in the world, weakening US support, and gravely weakening his own country’s cohesion. He’s doing more damage to Israel Read More …
Brian M Downing Protests over the expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem escalated into violence and more recently into widespread fighting. The outcome isn’t in doubt. The Palestinians have only inaccurate homemade rockets and light weapons. The IDF has armor and airpower. Israeli intelligence has infiltrated Hamas and Read More …
Brian M Downing Iraq gravely worsened Sunni-Shia animosities by invading Iran in 1980. Though unsupportive at first, the Sunni states funneled support to Saddam Hussein to stave off defeat and a triumphant Shia republic. The war lasted eight years and killed hundreds of thousands. Today, Iraq is trying to use Read More …