Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Western powers intend to challenge Iran’s domination of the Strait of Hormuz. The United States and NATO allies have been sending warships through the Strait of Hormuz. Western diplomats said Britain, France and the United States deployed six warships this month through the Iranian-claimed strait. “We maintain a constant presence […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military maintains only limited access to facilities in Turkey, a report said. The American Enterprise Institute determined that the U.S. military could not rely on facilities in Turkey for regional operations, particularly an attack on Iran. In a Republican presidential debate in South Carolina on Jan. 16, Texas […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has continued its project to expand a base in Qatar. The Defense Department has been awarding contracts for construction work at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar. On Jan. 17, the Pentagon awarded a $27.8 million contract to Contrack International for the expansion and upgrade of […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has made the growing Iranian military presence in the Gulf a top priority. Officials said the U.S. Navy has been devising strategies to maintain operations in the Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, amid Iranian threats. They acknowledged that Iran was capable of blocking the strait for […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Wednesday, March 16, 2011 ABU DHABI — The U.S. Navy has begun to vacate its facilities in Bahrain, diplomatic sources said. However a statement by the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command denied that an evacuation was underway. Western diplomatic sources said many or most of the Navy’s Fifth Fleet has left Manama. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has been examining a proposal to establish a regional police force. Officials said the GCC would receive a plan for a regional police force to bolster security throughout the Gulf. They said the force would be similar to law enforcement organizations in Asia and Europe. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The Arab world, shaken by major revolts in several countries, has experienced a sharp economic decline. Leading Middle East bankers have warned that Arab League states were plunged into what they termed a “state of emergency.” They said the pro-democracy revolts in such countries as Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria and […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Bahrain has appealed to Congress to release U.S. weapons approved for the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. The Bahraini embassy has relayed a letter to the House and Senate leaderships that addresses congressional concerns over Manama’s human rights policy. The embassy warned that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia face regional threats, presumed […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. government has lost track of many large weapons sold to Gulf Cooperation Council states, a report said. The General Accountability Office said that the Defense Department and State Department failed to account for up to 20 percent of U.S. weapons sold to the six GCC states from 2005 […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Bahrain, pressed by Shi’ite unrest, intends to attract Arab and Western investment to explore for energy reserves. Prime Minister Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa has presented what was termed a long-term strategy for investment in Bahrain’s crude oil and natural gas sectors. The strategy, entitled “Bahrain Vision,” is meant […]