John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Though it’s the birthplace of Christianity in ancient times, the modern Middle East is increasingly hostile to Christianity as civil conflict, Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism grow in scope and strength. Although most regional states have a small but successful Christian minority ranging from Egypt to Iraq, only Lebanon, Israel […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Jordan has been urged to establish a buffer zone along the kingdom’s border with Syria. Syrian opposition sources said the Hashemite kingdom has been considering a series of moves to help the revolt against President Bashar Assad. They said the most feasible proposal was for a safe haven zone for […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — Israel plans to erect another security fence — this time along the border with Jordan. Officials said the Defense Ministry has launched plans to establish a barrier along a 100-kilometer stretch of the Israeli-Jordanian border. They said the security barrier, estimated at about $170 million, would be required to […]
Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Egypt has rejected a Jordanian offer to help protect an embattled natural gas pipeline in the Sinai Peninsula. A senior Jordanian official said Cairo dismissed a Hashemite kingdom offer to help protect the Arab Gas Pipeline, meant to provide more than 60 percent of Jordan’s gas requirements. Jordanian government spokesman […]
Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Despite repeated government denials, Jordan has agreed to accommodate Hamas leaders from neighboring Syria. Islamic sources said Jordan allowed several senior Hamas members to resettle in Jordan from Damascus in late 2011. The sources said Jordan has been under pressure from both Qatar and Saudi Arabia to host the Hamas […]
Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Despite the troop withdrawal, the United States expects to be heavily engaged in military projects in Iraq in 2012. U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad James Jeffrey said Washington has been committed to a range of military programs in Iraq that would last up to 2020. Jeffrey said the value of these […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — The government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite warnings by the intelligence community, has been stunned by the ferocity of Jewish resistance to demolition operations in the West Bank. Officials said Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak were taken by surprise by the violent opposition to the demolition […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — Turkey is said to have pledged up to $300 million in aid to Hamas. Turkish sources said Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has pledged to become a leading donor to the Hamas regime. Over the last year, Erdogan has provided Hamas support in other ways. The sources said Turkey was providing […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has failed to approve membership applications for Jordan and Morocco. Officials acknowledged that the GCC was divided over whether to admit Jordan and Morocco amid rising tension with neighboring Iran. They said several of the six GCC members, including the United Arab Emirates, determined that […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States is pressing Israel to take the initiative to improve ties with American allies in the Middle East. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama has been urging Israel to improve relations with Arab and other states in the Middle East. They said the effort was necessary […]