Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing On-and-off talks between the US and the Taliban have brought a temporary reduction in hostilities and the prospect of US troop withdrawals and more substantive peace talks. Kabul is balking, fighting flares here and there, but there’s room for optimism that we can finally be rid of Read More …
Brian M Downing The Taliban and American forces are reducing operations, preparing for more serious negotiations. Warfare has been continuous since 1979 and peace has been elusive. Even before the US helped expel the Taliban in 2002, the Taliban was fighting the Northern Alliance and a handful of insurgencies. All Read More …
Brian M Downing Diplomatic history knows of the Zinoviev letter and Zimmerman telegram. One day President Trump’s tweets may be recorded. Over the weekend he scuttled impending talks with the Taliban, apparently because of a recent terrorist attack. No one can be sure that in a day or two he Read More …
Brian M Downing Serious negotiations have been underway to find a settlement for the eighteen-year war there. Actually, wars have been going on there since 1979 when local insurrections brought instability and Soviet intervention. All sides are weary of war. China wants stability to better exploit the country’s mineral wealth Read More …
Brian M Downing Foreign policy has to deal with unexpected events. That’s the nature of the undertaking. The process is burdened by group think, inexperienced leaders and appointees, and pressure from lobbies – few of which call for less interventionism or see policies as unworkable. Grandiosity and arcaneness can confer workability in Read More …
Brian M Downing The American phase of Afghanistan’s wars began after al Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks. Since then, however, the group’s significance declined. The war became a Taliban-based insurgency, al Qaeda lost many leaders and fighters, and ISIL seized territory while al Qaeda was in hiding. Today, after 17 years of 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 …
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 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 …
Brian M Downing Backed by western advisors, the Syrian Democratic Forces, an amalgamation of Kurdish-Arab militias, has launched an offensive on a remaining ISIL position in eastern Syria. Reports indicate that, despite ISIL’s heavy losses and string of defeats over the last 4 years, resistance is fierce. The position here Read More …