Report: Arab states not buying U.S. idea that they would fight ISIL

Report: Arab states not buying U.S. idea that they would fight ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Arab states were not expected to fight Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, a report said. The Al Quds Center for Political Studies asserted that Arab League members were unlikely to agree to form a military force to fight ISIL. In a report, the Amman-based center said Arab militaries were […]

Role of Gulf state pilots said marginal to ineffective in war on ISIL

Role of Gulf state pilots said marginal to ineffective in war on ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Gulf Arab partners have conducted a tiny portion of air strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. Officials said Arab partners have conducted less than 15 percent of air strikes on ISIL in Iraq and Syria. They said such Arab partners as Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the […]

War Council: U.S. plots an expansion of the war on ISIL at ‘historic’ gathering

War Council: U.S. plots an expansion of the war on ISIL at ‘historic’ gathering

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States is working to expand coalition operations against Islamic State of Iraq and Levant. The military’s Central Command has launched a military planning conference to determine doctrine and methods to defeat ISIL in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. military is consulting with Arab and NATO participants on ways […]

As U.S. shifts toward Iran, Bahrain turns to Russia for arms

As U.S. shifts toward Iran, Bahrain turns to Russia for arms

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, is preparing for the delivery of Russian weapons. Bahrain began to examine a rapprochement with Russia in 2012 in wake of U.S. weapons sanctions over its crackdown on a Shi’ite uprising for which it blamed Iran. Officials said the two countries […]

ISIL Internet sites threaten American schools, teachers in Gulf

ISIL Internet sites threaten American schools, teachers in Gulf

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has threatened the U.S. presence in the Gulf. The U.S. Navy said ISIL could attack Americans and Western facilities in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The navy’s Anti-Terrorism Force Protection cited an online threat from an anonymous supporter of […]

Gulf states planning first major construction development since 2008

Gulf states planning first major construction development since 2008

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council plans to launch an ambitious development plan, a report said. MEED Projects said that the six-member GCC would award $180 billion for construction in 2014. MEED said the development plan was not hampered by falling crude oil prices, the lowest since 2011. “This is driven […]

IISS: The U.S. withdrawal from Gulf led to Mideast cold war, rise of ISIL

IISS: The U.S. withdrawal from Gulf led to Mideast cold war, rise of ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The United States decision to withdraw from the Gulf has had major consequences, a leading analyst said. A senior fellow of the International Institute of Strategic Studies said that Washington decided to reduce its commitment to the Middle East, particularly the Gulf. The analyst, Toby Dodge, said the U.S. […]

Bahrain accuses Qatar buying loyalty of Sunni tribes

Bahrain accuses Qatar buying loyalty of Sunni tribes

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Bahrain has declared an alert amid tension in the Gulf. The Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom has placed its military and security forces on alert amid concern of renewed Sunni unrest. The threat was said to have stemmed from major Sunni tribe accused of loyalty to Qatar. “They must be […]

Egypt chooses Gulf state firms for $4 billion Suez expansion

Egypt chooses Gulf state firms for $4 billion Suez expansion

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has awarded contracts to Gulf Arab companies for the expansion of the Suez Canal. The Cairo government has awarded major contracts for the construction of a parallel canal in Suez to companies from several Gulf Cooperation Council states. They included firms from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. “The winning consortium […]

Bahrainis warns parents: Al Qaida recruiting youths in mosques, gyms and ‘no one is returning’

Bahrainis warns parents: Al Qaida recruiting youths in mosques, gyms and ‘no one is returning’

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Bahrain lawmakers have issued an alert about the work of Al Qaida recruiters for the war in Iraq and Syria. Officials said Al Qaida networks were offering young Muslims salaries and other benefits to join the war in Iraq and Syria. They said the recruitment was conducted for such […]