Russia sent advanced rockets to Syria due to ‘threats from Turkey’

Special to WorldTribune.com MOSCOW — Russia has delivered an advanced surface-to-surface rocket to Syria. Russian sources said the Kremlin has approved the transfer of the Iskander-E rocket to the regime of President Bashar Assad. They said nearly 100 Iskander rockets arrived in Syria in November as part of Moscow’s determination to bolster Damascus. “These missiles […]

Obama, Arab allies eye no-fly zone that could ‘paralyze’ Syrian military

Obama, Arab allies eye no-fly zone that could ‘paralyze’ Syrian military

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — The United States has drafted a plan with its Arab allies to establish a no-fly zone over Syria. Western diplomatic sources said the administration of President Barack Obama has reached agreement with Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies to impose measures meant to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar […]

Turkey extends support to Hamas, facilitates withdrawal from Syria

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 […]

Turkey sets terms for backing Free Syrian Army: Bow to Muslim Brotherhood group

Turkey sets terms for backing Free Syrian Army: Bow to Muslim Brotherhood group

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Turkey, aligned to the Muslim Brotherhood, has cracked down on the rebel army in Syria. Opposition sources said the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has frozen Free Syrian Army bank accounts in an effort to pressure the rebels to recognize the authority of the Brotherhood-aligned Syrian National Council. “The […]

Out of options: Report says U.S. must prepare to strike Iran before 2013

Out of options: Report says U.S. must prepare to strike Iran before 2013

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States must plan for a campaign to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program, a leading think tank said. The American Enterprise Institute stated that the United States is unlikely to stop Iran’s nuclear program either through sanctions or deterrence. As a result, the Washington-based institute said in a report […]

Turkey hires Chinese firm to build natural gas depository

Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — China and Turkey have signed a natural gas storage agreement. Turkey’s state-owned Botas has contracted China’s Tianchen Engineering to build a gas depository under Turkey’s Lake Tuz in Central Anatolia. Under the agreement, reported at $559 million, Tianchen would build a facility by 2019 that could store one billion cubic […]

Syrian rebels agree to join forces with pro-Turkey Islamic opposition

Syrian rebels agree to join forces with pro-Turkey Islamic opposition

Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — Syria’s new rebel army and the Islamic opposition are said to have agreed to cooperate in the revolt against President Bashar Assad. The Syrian National Council and the Free Syrian Army have agreed to coordinate operations amid a NATO and Arab League international effort to increase pressure on the Assad […]

Panetta presses Israel to ‘reach out’, improve ties with Egypt, Turkey

Panetta presses Israel to ‘reach out’, improve ties with Egypt, Turkey

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 […]

Report: NATO states including France said to be recruiting, training Syrian rebels

Report: NATO states including France said to be recruiting, training Syrian rebels

Special to WorldTribune.com ANKARA — France is reportedly training rebels in their effort to topple the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. A major Turkish newspaper reported that France has sent military advisers to train the Free Syrian Army. FSA, based in Turkey, was said to have received training in weapons and combat skills in […]

Russian Navy backs Syria, delivers weapons and S-300 air defense system

Russian Navy backs Syria, delivers weapons and S-300 air defense system

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Russia is said to have sent warships to deliver an advanced air defense system to Syria. Arab diplomatic sources said the Russian Navy arrived in the Syrian port of Tartous in late November and brought weapons and supplies to the regime of President Bashar Assad. “We see this as a […]