Jordan defers to Islamists, allows ‘March to Jerusalem’

Jordan defers to Islamists, allows ‘March to Jerusalem’

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Jordan, under strong pressure from the Islamist opposition and its foreign backers has allowed a scheduled march by up to one million Muslims to Israel. Officials said the Hashemite kingdom has relayed formal approval for the so-called “Global March to Jerusalem” on March 30.  The procession, organized by Hamas and […]

U.S. intel estimate: Struggle over shrinking water reserves could spark Mideast war

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has determined that water shortages in the Middle East could lead to severe tension over the next decade. The National Intelligence Estimate for 2012 has assessed that Middle East and other nations could be drawn into a confrontation as they struggle with decreasing water reserves. The […]

13th bombing of Egyptian pipeline cuts off Israel, Jordan

13th bombing of Egyptian pipeline cuts off Israel, Jordan

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt’s natural gas pipeline to the rest of the Middle East has again been bombed. Officials said the bombing of the Arab Gas Pipeline took place in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on late March 5. Officials said gas supplies to neighboring Israel and Jordan were severed after the attack in northern […]

U.S. military weighs deploying elite forces at bases near Iraq

U.S. military weighs deploying elite forces at bases near Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military, in wake of its withdrawal from Iraq, has sought to establish a base in neighboring Jordan. Officials said Central Command has sought to compensate for the U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq in late 2011. They said Centcom wanted to deploy small elite forces at bases in countries […]

Syrian crisis: It’s complicated and West needs to take the time to grasp what’s at stake

Syrian crisis: It’s complicated and West needs to take the time to grasp what’s at stake

Special to WorldTribune.com Excerpted from an article by Yossef Bodansky, Senior Editor, Global Information System The intense fighting of late January and early February in Syria, coupled with the vastly improved manipulation of the jihadists there by Iranian intelligence … have already enabled Syria’s Bashar Assad administration to take control over the war in Syria. […]

Egypt’s Sinai gas pipeline attacked for 12th time in year

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The Arab Gas Pipeline has again been bombed. Authorities said the latest attack took place west of El Arish in the northern Sinai Peninsula. The bombing on Feb. 5 forced the shutdown of the pipeline, which supplies neighboring Israel and Jordan. This marked the 12th attack on the pipeline over […]

Hamas leader’s Jordan visit his first since 1999 expulsion

Hamas leader’s Jordan visit his first since 1999 expulsion

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Jordan is preparing for the return of the leader of the Hamas movement. The Hashemite kingdom has invited Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Masha’al, expelled in 1999. Officials said Masha’al would be accompanied by Qatari Crown Prince Hamad Bein Tamim Al Thani and meet senior officials. “His visit marks a […]

Free Syrian Army said to capture major Damascus suburb

Free Syrian Army said to capture major Damascus suburb

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The opposition has reported the rebel capture of another Syrian town. Opposition sources said the Free Syrian Army attacked and seized Duma, a major suburb of Damascus, on Jan. 21. They said FSA units, comprised of Syrian Army deserters, overran positions of the regime of President Bashar Assad and captured […]

Turkey set to train Libyan forces as militia battles rage in Tripoli

Turkey set to train Libyan forces as militia battles rage in Tripoli

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Turkey is preparing to launch a training program for Libya’s security forces. A Turkish security delegation arrived in Libya on Jan. 5 to discuss a program to train Libyan police and security forces. Officials said Ankara would conduct training in Turkey and Libya for both Libyan cadets and veteran officers. […]

Turkey keeps rival Syrian rebel groups guessing on its intentions

Turkey keeps rival Syrian rebel groups guessing on its intentions

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Syria’s rebel army, based in Turkey, has reported shortages in weapons and funds. The Free Syrian Army has urged Arab and other opponents of the regime of President Bashar Assad to rush aid to the rebel force. “If the FSA had greater capabilities the situation on the ground would be […]