Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Suspicion falls on ISIL for Ankara bombing No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing but ISIL is suspected. Turkey is bombing ISIL in Syria and must expect retaliation. This was the view presented here two days ago. Some Turks are criticizing their government for not preventing the bombing. Others Read More …
Violence in Israel and the West Bank has picked up since late last summer. In recent weeks, casualties have gone up markedly, and ominously. Most troubling is the turmoil centering at the Temple Mount, or Noble Sanctuary as it’s known in Islam. A Third Intifada may be in the offing. The region is Read More …
Turkish capital rocked by blasts Two explosions have killed at least eighty-six people in Ankara. No one has yet claimed responsibility. Ordinarily, a blast in Turkey would lead to suspicion of Kurdish involvement. However. these blasts were at a pro-Kurdish rally and in any case the PKK has been targeting Read More …
US drops program to train Syrian rebels After much failure and embarrassment, the US is halting its program to build a rebel force. At the outset of the program rebel commanders voiced their reluctance to serve in a US force. Any force trained, armed, and paid by the US will be seen Read More …
Russia has sent aircraft and support personnel to hold up the faltering Assad regime. Its fighters and cruise missiles have attacked rebel positions, chiefly non-ISIL ones. Russian troops are defending bases along the Mediterranean and “volunteers” ground forces are being organized though not yet deployed. The US and NATO are Read More …
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 …