Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Russian leader Vladimir Putin has audaciously seized the Crimea and positioned troops to move into eastern Ukraine and the Trans-Dniester region of Moldova. The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to say the least dismayed and look upon their sizable ethnic Russian populations with suspicion. Read More …
Brian M Downing Last week Vladimir Putin executed bold moves in the Eastern Ukraine – a part of the country that may soon be an autonomous region, an independent country, or part of Russia (again). There can be little doubt as to who would be the first to recognize it Read More …
Brian M Downing Relations between the United States and Pakistan have deteriorated badly over the past year. Pakistan was initially embarrassed when US Special Forces found and killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden just down the street from a Pakistani army camp, but the country – or at least its Read More …
Brian M Downing The precise nature and inspiration of the uprising last week in the remote Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan is not presently known. Few, however, doubt that Russia has supported President Kurmanbek Bakiyev’s ouster and will benefit from the government that is coalescing in Bishkek. Russia quickly recognized Read More …
Brian M Downing The Russian invasion of the S. Ossetian enclave in Georgia should call into question a basic component of US foreign policy – the integration of Eastern Europe and former Soviet republics into NATO. This policy has been pursued by Democratic and Republican administrations, but with no public Read More …