Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
The war in Syria is a stalemate and disaster. Civilian casualties are appalling, cities lie in ruins, and people flee the desolation by the tens of thousand. The former country is a training ground for jihadis and terrorists from Morocco to China. Preliminary talks are underway but any agreement is months away, at Read More …
The Syrian civil war, despite movement of the lines here and there, has been stalemated for well over a year. The ongoing Russian-Iranian offensive may retake Aleppo and Idlib, though without having the momentum or numbers to defeat the rebels. World leaders are looking for a solution but trust is low Read More …
Russia’s deployment of fighter aircraft and troops to Syria has overshadowed similar moves by Iran. The Islamic Republic, a longstanding Syrian ally, has sent about four thousand Shia fighters recruited from Afghanistan’s Hazara people and Iraq’s Arab majority, and reportedly a small contingent of its own ground troops as well. Read More …
Last month, under the weight of rebel pressure, the Syrian army pulled back from northern Syria. Since then Russia has deployed scores of attack aircraft and begun an air campaign, mostly on non-ISIL factions. Iran, too, has increased its support for a beleaguered ally. IRGC advisers have been in country for 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 …
Not long ago, American power and beliefs appeared unchallenged in the world. The Soviet Union was gone, generals in developing nations were heading back to the barracks, and democracy was everywhere on the rise. We had, in the famous words, reached the end of history. Open economic and political systems Read More …
President Putin has raised the Russian profile in Syria. He has sent in new armored vehicles, deployed advisers alongside government troops, and ordered work on a housing compound for several hundred more troops – the latter move setting off speculation about the scope and intent of the Read More …
Brian M Downing The dialog between the US and Iran has moved ahead. Opposition comes from important groups in both Tehran and Washington – as well as in a few Middle Eastern capitals. In Washington, the issue is decried as a sign of the administration’s naivety regarding world affairs Read More …
Brian M Downing The world, it would be fair to say, is in disarray. Most economies are sluggish, political paralysis and decay are everywhere, and appallingly brutal militant groups are on the march. Nonetheless, despite fighting near vital oil fields in the Gulf region, the price of oil – inordinately Read More …
Brian M Downing Russia’s annexation of the Crimea has raised national security concerns in Eastern Europe, especially in Poland and the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Are they next on Vladimir Putin’s agenda of restoring the Great Russian empire? How reliable are the military forces of Eastern Europe? Read More …