Brian M Downing and the world at war. Timely, thoughtful, and nonpartisan analysis of military matters. @BrianMDowning1.
Brian M Downing Taliban forces are taking control of as much of Afghanistan as they wish. The United States is hoping its embassy is spared the humiliations of 1975 in Saigon and four years later in Tehran. It’s in the hands of the Taliban and its regional backers, Russia, Iran, 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 Candidate Trump talked about ending interminable wars in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. President Trump was so determined to get troops out of Syria that he ordered a pullout twice. The troops are still there. President Biden has ordered a complete pullout from Afghanistan by September 11th of Read More …
Brian M Downing Reports of Russian bounties to Taliban fighters for killing GIs have created a storm. The debate concerns how reliable the intelligence is and whether or not the president was briefed on the matter and if so, what if anything did he do. The issue underscores the president’s 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 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 …
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 There’ve been signs of progress in the on-and-off talks to end the Afghan war. President Trump, applying a business-like approach, wants to liquidate the war and has mentioned halving the US presence there. The Taliban note progress in the Doha parleys and have sent an important figure Read More …
Brian M Downing Hard on the heels of announcing a complete withdrawal of the 2,000 GIs in Syria, President Trump has ordered half the 14,000 US troops out of Afghanistan. The Syrian move led to dismay in many quarters. Secretary of Defense Mattis resigned because of it, at least in Read More …