Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Cossack and Russian separatists clash in the Ukraine The multi-ethnic nature of Russia and the Ukraine is becoming increasingly clear. We’ve long known that ethnic Russians wanted to separate from the eastern Ukraine, with Putin’s help of course. Now we learn that ethnic Cossacks have also been seeking to separate Read More …
Kerry gets support for Iran deal from Sunni monarchies. Signs that NY senator Schumer opposes deal. Houthis pushed back near Aden, possibly with help of Emirati ground troops.
The nuclear pact inked by the P5+1 and Iran, though not yet ratified, offers the opportunity for Iran to shed its parish-state label and reenter the world of nations. It has been largely excluded since the 1979 Revolution but especially so after opposition grew to its nuclear program in recent Read More …
After Vietnam, the American military was scorned, the prospect of another war seemed impossible. Yet since then, the military has become lionized and has fought two wars and numerous smaller actions. Andrew Bacevich – West Pointer, Vietnam veteran, and professor of international studies – attributes this change to the creation of two powerful Read More …
Saudi Arabia building economic and security ties in region Saudi Arabia is expanding its influence in the region. It has already been instrumental in ousting the Muslim Brotherhood from power in Egypt and it is now inking arms deals, financial aid, and security arrangements. Riyadh wants to build its power Read More …
Fighting in Afghanistan is largely seasonal. As winter nears, soldiers return to their lands and herds. Fighting is light; bombings continue in cities and along convoy routes. With warmer weather, Taliban fighters assemble and conduct operations directed by regional and local commanders, all of whom answer to shura councils in Read More …
Is Taliban leader Mullah Omar dead? Reports are circulating that Mullah Omar is dead. However, reports of the deaths of Taliban regional commanders often turn out to be wrong. There are only a few photos of the reclusive Taliban chief; he’s been in hiding, probably in Pakistan, since the US drove his group out of Read More …
Turkey gets NATO political support for ISIL war Turkey has begun airstrikes on ISIL positions in Syria. This comes in response to attacks inside Turkey that were probably done by ISIL. Turkey, however, is also bombing PKK positions in Kurdistan. This points out major differences between Turkey and the US. The Read More …
Two months ago, after a string of defeats in both Syria and Iraq, ISIL seized control of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s Sunni-dominated Anbar province. The fall of Ramadi once again underscores the power of ISIL and the weakness of the Iraqi army. The expected counterattack, to the surprise Read More …
Two Israeli security chiefs support Iranian nuclear deal Former Mossad and Shin Bet leaders have come out in support of the deal. Look for J Street, the less hawkish pro-Israel group, to use them to garner support in congress. It’s going to be a tough sell. Syrian president admits to manpower Read More …