Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah has poured in hundreds of troops in heavy fighting in southern Syria. Opposition sources said Hizbullah has sent up to 1,000 fighters to join the Syrian Army in its offensive in southern Syria. They said Hizbullah played a major role in blocking access to Sunni rebel strongholds […]
Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — The United States intends to send hundreds of troops to Jordan amid the civil war in neighboring Syria. Officials said the U.S. military has approved plans to deploy at least 200 soldiers in Jordan in 2013. They said the U.S. soldiers would help Jordan secure its northern border with Syria […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has been planning for a smaller presence in the Middle East. Officials said Central Command has been ordered to prepare for significant cuts in military manpower in the Middle East. They said the directive for the Defense Department to reduce the budget by $80 billion over the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has sought to form an international coalition to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad in 2013. Officials said President Barack Obama has decided to launch an initiative to convene Arab and Western allies to end the civil war in Syria. They said Obama intends to meet the leaders […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has expanded support for Sunni rebels in Syria. Western diplomatic sources asserted that the administration of President Barack Obama ordered an expansion of pro-rebel operations against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. They said the administration has directed the CIA to train Syrian rebels in neighboring […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has deemed Jordan one of the most dependable allies in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command, responsible for the Middle East and much of Asia, determined that Jordan remains committed to Western peacekeeping and stabilization efforts, particularly in Afghanistan. Officials said Jordan has also played a key […]
Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Jordan is said to be helping the West train Syrian rebels. Western media reports asserted that Jordan was overseeing a U.S. program to train thousands of Sunni rebels against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. They said Washington was focusing on the Free Syrian Army, which was undergoing training […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt and Iraq have been examining the feasibility of a joint energy pipeline under the Gulf of Aqaba. The two countries discussed energy cooperation during a visit to Baghdad by Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil on March 4. Officials said Iraq has sought to pump crude oil to Egypt via […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama could reduce military aid to Middle East allies. Officials said the Defense Department would be forced to slash $46 billion from its fiscal 2013 budget, which went into effect on March 1. The officials said the cut, called sequestration, would include $300 million from […]
Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — The Hashemite kingdom has grown stronger in wake of parliamentary elections that rejected the Muslim Brotherhood, a report said. The Institute for National Security Studies asserted that King Abdullah generated support through the use of social networks. In a report, the institute said the monarch, whose supporters now dominate […]