Obama administration concerned about release of Hamas insurgents who killed Americans

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has acknowledged concern over the release of senior Hamas operatives in a prisoner exchange with Israel. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama discussed the release of Hamas operatives convicted of planning suicide bombings and other attacks in which Americans were killed. More than a dozen […]

U.S. picks up pace in withdrawal of troops, equipment from Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — The United States has intensified its military withdrawal from Iraq. Officials said the U.S. military has increased the pace of pulling out equipment from Iraq to Kuwait. They said the military, with 39,000 troops, was closing bases, transferring combat platforms and logistics in both air and ground transport. “Now, we […]

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 […]

Straits talk about Taiwan’s defense needs

Straits talk about Taiwan’s defense needs

NEW YORK — A crucial defense dilemma is looming under the radar screens,  both over the Taiwan Straits and the Potomac; namely seriously upgrading Taiwan’s aging jet fighter force against a fast rising military threat from Mainland China. While Beijing’s double-digit military spending is now focusing on high-tech sophisticated fighter aircraft, tiny Taiwan still relies […]

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 […]

West warns of abduction in Lebanon; terror alert in Kuwait

Special to WorldTribune.com NICOSIA — Western embassies have urged their nationals to limit travel in Lebanon. Several Western embassies warned that Europeans and Americans could be the target of abduction in Lebanon. They also urged Westerners to avoid parts of the country influenced by the revolt in neighboring Syria. “We advise against all but essential […]

In response to an assassination plot against a Saudi diplomat, the U.S. should not go to war

In response to an assassination plot against a Saudi diplomat, the U.S. should not go to war

Special to WorldTribune.com By Sheda Vasseghi The latest Saudi official assassination conspiracy implicating the Islamic Republic of Iran brings chills to Iranian nationalists as it is a reminder of many examples in history whereby in the scheme of things a small trigger causes global warfare and carnage. Accusations against the Islamists in control of Iran […]

North Korea mounts a charm offensive for international visitors … again

North Korea mounts a charm offensive for international visitors … again

Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com SEOUL — Yogi Berra may not have had United States-North Korean talks in mind when he remarked, “This is like deja vu all over again,” but the phrase would seem to catch the spirit of the dialogue coming up Monday and Tuesday in Geneva. While North Korea evinces […]

Fierce rhetoric, strategic disconnect from West among the red flags in newly Islamist Turkey

Fierce rhetoric, strategic disconnect from West among the red flags in newly Islamist Turkey

Special to WorldTribune.com Global Information System correspondents The Turkish Government of Prime Minister Reçep Tayyip Erdogan has demonstrated that it becomes more politically and verbally aggressive — to the point where it generates incredulity among non-Turkish analysts — when it faces, or prepares to face, major challenges. It also tends to state arguments which reflect […]