Obama’s Iran doctrine a nightmare come true for U.S. friends

Obama’s Iran doctrine a nightmare come true for U.S. friends

Special to WorldTribune.com Charles Krauthammer In December, President Obama said that he wished to see Iran ultimately become a “very successful regional power.” His wish — a nightmare for the Western-oriented Arab states — is becoming a reality. Consider: ● Gulf of Aden: Iran sends a flotilla of warships and weapons-carrying freighters to reinforce the […]

U.S. warships head for Yemen but have no orders to block Iran arms shipments

U.S. warships head for Yemen but have no orders to block Iran arms shipments

Special to WorldTribune.com Two warships joined seven other U.S. vessels in the Arabian Sea, to counter an Iranian convoy suspected of carrying weapons to Shi’ite Houthi rebels in violation of a UN arms embargo adopted last week. “We believe these vessels may have arms and equipment on board,” an official told AFP on April 20. […]

Arab army chiefs reconvene on joint military force as Yemen crisis heats up

Arab army chiefs reconvene on joint military force as Yemen crisis heats up

Special to WorldTribune.com As U.S. warships monitored an Iran convoy suspected of carrying arms to the Shi’ite Houthi militia in Yemen, the Gulf Arab state military chiefs were gathering in Cairo. The ostensible purpose of the meeting on April 22 is to follow up on the summit in March at which they agreed to a […]

Arab summit announces joint military for action in Libya, Yemen

Arab summit announces joint military for action in Libya, Yemen

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi says Arab leaders have agreed in principle to create a joint military force. Sisi said on March 29 that the force was needed because of the “great challenges facing our Arab nation and threatening its capabilities.” Arab representatives will meet over […]

Kerry seeks to calm Saudis, Gulf leaders on imminent Iran deal

Kerry seeks to calm Saudis, Gulf leaders on imminent Iran deal

Special to WorldTribune.com U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry lobbied Gulf Arab leaders today on behalf of the Obama administration’s upcoming rapproachement with Iran. Subsequent statements by Saudi leaders indicated they remain skeptical of U.S. intentions and are concerned about Iran’s rising profile in the region. After meeting with Saudi King Salman and Foreign Minister […]

Merkel government approves Arab arms exports

Merkel government approves Arab arms exports

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Germany has approved the delivery of combat platforms to Arab militaries. The Federal Security Council has endorsed a recommendation by the government to export a range of combat platforms and equipment to Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The council’s decision on Feb. 4 ended months of debate over Germany’s expanded […]

Kuwait foils attack on large oil tanker by Somali pirates

Kuwait foils attack on large oil tanker by Somali pirates

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Kuwait has foiled a pirate attack against a huge oil tanker in the Gulf. Kuwait Oil Tanker Co. said one of its vessels came under attack from pirates during a voyage to Djibouti. The company said the crew of the Burgan tanker confronted and drove off the pirates without […]

Gulf Arab oil states plan to slash energy investment

Gulf Arab oil states plan to slash energy investment

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council is preparing to significantly reduce its energy investment for the rest of the decade. The Arab Petroleum Investment Corp. assessed that every GCC energy producer planned to slash investment in crude oil and natural gas from 2015. Titled “Arab Energy Investment Outlook Opportunities, Constraints and […]

As oil prices drop, so do Standard and Poor ratings for Gulf states

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Two Gulf Cooperation Council states have dropped in ratings by a leading U.S. agency. Standard and Poor’s lowered the outlook of Saudi Arabia from positive to stable amid the decline in crude oil prices and the boom in shale oil production in the United States. The U.S. agency also reduced […]

Holiday cheer here, but gloom in Russia, as fuel prices dip and Obamacare Grinch lurks

Holiday cheer here, but gloom in Russia, as fuel prices dip and Obamacare Grinch lurks

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — The precipitous fall in petroleum prices has brought an unexpected holiday season bonus to oil and gasoline consumers throughout North America. And it’s not a moment too soon that the high fuel prices of the past few years finally take a dip. But while cheaper […]