Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing SDF troops supported by American, British, and French advisors have greatly reduced ISIL territory in Syria. Only a small portion of land near Deir Azour remains. ISIL’s positions in Iraq are negligible too. Most ISIL troops fight to the end, though recently, near Deir Azour, several dozen Read More …
Brian M Downing Negotiations to settle the war in Afghanistan might be leading somewhere. A major Taliban official has taken part and the Trump administration is looking to get out of the failed venture. Should an agreement come, the Taliban will govern large parts of the south and east. They Read More …
Brian M Downing Two years ago sabers rattled noisily and ominously in East Asia. North Korea was testing nuclear weapons and launching long-range missiles capable of hitting parts of the US. The Trump administration replied with threats to destroy “little rocket man’s” country. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Trump and Kim exchanged Read More …
Brian M Downing When the Arab Spring came to Syria in 2011, popular protest was put down by government violence and terror. Civil war erupted. Sunni powers stepped in and armed rebel groups – lots of them. Government forces abandoned key border crossings and fell back into a redoubt in Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump arrived in Hanoi this morning to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, before the meeting the president surprised reporters with an unexpected announcement. The Vietnamese officials were all the more surprised. “I’m using this occasion to announce an executive order bestowing the Read More …
by Brian M Downing Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered US special forces out of Wardak province. It lies southwest of and near to Kabul, where he resides – isolated and dependent on foreign protection. The US soldiers are said to have assisted local forces in kidnapping locals and beheading Read More …
Brian M Downing President Trump announced a complete pullout from Syria late last year. Not long thereafter, generals and allies talked him out of it. His most recent “position” is to withdraw the bulk of the 2,000 troops but keep a force of 200 in eastern Syria. The pullout hasn’t Read More …
Brian M Downing Whistleblowers this week released information on the Trump administration’s keen interest in selling nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. The deal was being pushed ahead without adequate scrutiny by Congress or the public – despite, or because of, considerable mistrust of Saudi Arabia. Congress and the public are Read More …
Brian M Downing Mohammad bin Salman, heir apparent to the Saudi throne, is using his petrodollars to isolate and perhaps destroy Iran. He’s already won the support of the US defense industry and Washington. They are backing his war in Yemen and ignoring his murder of Khashoggi in Turkey. This Read More …
Brian M Downing The US and Pakistan have been uneasy partners ever since the latter came into existence in 1947 and the Cold War began. Since then, Pakistan had several descents into military rule, started wars with India (and lost every time), produced nuclear weapons in violation of the NPT, Read More …