Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing China, Russia, and Iran are probing American resolve along the vast Eurasian periphery. China presents problems in East Asia, Iran in the Gulf and Levant, Russia from Stettin in the north to Kiev. Putin’s doing his part by deploying combat units along the border with the Ukraine. Read More …
Brian M Downing Throughout the Cold War Soviet and American planes buzzed each other, their ships slipped in and out of the other’s territory and otherwise tested each other. Probes were sometimes done with a wink, sometimes with malice. China was weak and relatively inactive then. By the late sixties Read More …
Brian M Downing As more districts fall concerns mount as to what will become of the country. One of more alarming claims, one used in calls for the US to reconsider withdrawal, is that it will become a sanctuary for al Qaeda and ISIL. The view here has long been Read More …
Brian M Downing Israel’s usefulness to Russia isn’t what it once was. Russia’s economy is stronger. China, now an ally, has modernized and developed a hi-tech sector. Both powers want to weaken the US and make their axis the most powerful and respected bloc in the world. The Islamic world, Read More …
Brian M Downing Israel’s relationship with the Soviet Union and Russia have changed markedly over the years. Moscow sent arms to Haganah as it fought the British in the early days of the Cold War. After that, however, Moscow backed Arab states. More recently Israel and Russia have built good Read More …
Brian M Downing Rewards Hegemony in the Gulf, should China achieve it one day, would be an important step forward in the march to power. It would secure sources of oil and gas, which though of lessening importance to the US and EU, remain critical to China’s booming economy. The Read More …
Brian M Downing Iraq and Syria The axis states, China, Russia, and Iran, want the US out of Gulf. Iran, convinced another anti-Iran presidency may be only four year off, doesn’t wants US troops on its borders. China wants to to secure oil sources and wants to become, along with Read More …
Brian M Downing All presidents are tested early on. Problems sometimes emerge on their own, sometimes they’re contrived. China tested Bush the Younger early on by knocking down a US surveillance plane. North Korea did the same with Trump four years ago. China, Russia, and Iran form a powerful three-power Read More …
Brian M Downing Western policies can weaken the Russian economy. Speeches and broadcasts can underscore Putin’s accumulation of Romanov-like wealth. The West can also point out problems with his China alignment and the concentration of power in his hands. What comes after him, a smooth succession or years of tumult Read More …
Brian M Downing Containment II An obvious response to Putin is to strengthen the system of alliances and bases that surrounded the old Soviet Union. George F Kennan called for containment in his 1947 Foreign Policy article. NATO, SEATO, CENTO, and the rearmament of Germany quickly followed. Kennan, however, came Read More …