U.S. funds program to track, destroy Libyan missiles

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has reported the start of the destruction of Libya’s shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles. The State Department said U.S. inspectors have overseen the destruction of hundreds of missiles in Libya. Officials said the destruction represented a $30 million program to track, intercept and destroy surface-to-air missiles from the arsenal […]

After Libya, ‘all options are on the table for Syria’

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — The West could examine the feasibility of a military operation against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. A senior member of the U.S. Senate raised the prospect of military intervention in Syria. Sen. John McCain, ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called on the U.S. military to […]

Saudis warn of drop in oil exports; UAE firm reports large profit increase

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia is expected to decrease crude oil exports amid rising domestic demand. The Jadwa Investment Research Department has asserted that the Saudi kingdom faced what the consultant termed a “difficult energy future.” Jadwa cited a nearly 25 percent increase in domestic energy consumption combined with low prices offered in the kingdom, […]

Opposition: Islamic death squads tracking officers loyal to Assad

NICOSIA — Islamic insurgents are targeting officers loyal to the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Opposition sources acknowledged that scores of Syrian security officers have been killed in such cities as Dura, Hama and Homs since April. They said Islamic insurgents have established networks that identify and target officers loyal to Assad in Sunni […]

Islamic Republic’s masters of disaster no match for Iranians with Internet access

Islamic Republic’s masters of disaster no match for Iranians with Internet access

By Sheda Vasseghi The Islamic Republic’s two-prong strategy of chaos to remain in power involves destruction of Iranian heritage and culture while using Iranian people’s national funds to support projects in troubled countries beset by corrupt regimes or extreme poverty. Of course, buying followers and believers from among the most miserable parts of the world […]

Report: Israel’s civil defense systems not adequate to cope with missile war

TEL AVIV — Despite several major exercise, Israel still lacks interagency cooperation required to counter a missile attack, a report said. The Institute of National Security Studies asserted that civil defense exercises staged by Israel’s military highlighted the lack of coordination between civilian and defense agencies. In a report, the institute said the government has […]

Turkey cites budget concerns in scaling back F-35 order from 120 to 6

ANKARA — Turkey appears to have significantly reduced the scope of plans to procure the Joint Strike Fighter from the United States. The government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has scaled down plans that until 2009 called for the procurement of 120 F-35 fighter-jets. Under the latest proposal, Turkey’s Defense Industry Undersecretariat, or SSM, would […]

Iran-backed Shi’ite militia in Iraq warns Kuwait to stop port construction

Iraq’s Hizbullah Brigades has relayed a warning against the construction of a port in southern Kuwait across from Iraq. On July 17, the brigades, trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the project’s prime contractor, based in South Korea, could be targeted. “We are warning the companies working on the Kuwaiti port against continuing […]

Turkey resignations seen as sign of military’s decline

Turkey resignations seen as sign of military’s decline

Gen. Necdet Ozel, commander of Gendarmerie paramilitary force, meets with President Abdullah Gul at the Presidential Palace of Cankaya in Ankara, Turkey, late Friday, July 29. Gul approved the appointment of Ozel as the new commander of Turkey’s Land Forces, hours after the country’s Chief of Staff and other top army commander have resigned. / AP […]

Report: Turkey ‘captures’ Iran arms shipment

LONDON — Turkey is said to have seized Iranian weapons destined for Syria. A German daily reported that Turkish security forces captured an Iranian arms shipment meant for the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Munich-based Suddeutsche Zeitung quoted diplomatic sources as describing the weapons, intercepted on April 30, as destined for the Iranian-sponsored […]