China, United Arab Emirates sign energy deals

China, United Arab Emirates sign energy deals

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — China and the United Arab Emirates have signed a series of energy accords. The two Asian states signed energy cooperation agreements on Jan. 17 during the visit by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. Under the agreements, the UAE’s state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and the China National Petroleum […]

Strategist: U.S.-Gulf state alliance could ‘completely destroy Iran’s armed forces’

Strategist: U.S.-Gulf state alliance could ‘completely destroy Iran’s armed forces’

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council, with U.S. support, was expected to destroy Iran’s military in any regional war. A leading Gulf strategist said the six GCC states were capable of repelling any Iranian attack. Riad Kahwaji, chief executive officer of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, said […]

Obama OKs bunker-busters for United Arab Emirates

Obama OKs bunker-busters for United Arab Emirates

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has approved a request by the United Arab Emirates for U.S. bombs that could destroy Iranian military bunkers. The Obama administration has informed Congress of a UAE request for 600 BLU-109 air munitions. The BLU-109 has been described as a 2,000-pound bomb meant to destroy underground command […]

Top guns: Saudis spent $13.8 billion on Western weapons from 2007-2010

Top guns:  Saudis spent $13.8 billion on Western weapons from 2007-2010

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia has again topped a list of the world’s leading defense clients over the last decade. The Congressional Research Service asserted that the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom was the top weapons procurer in 2010. In a report by Richard Grimmett, CRS said Saudi Arabia received $1.2 billion worth of […]

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 […]

Wealthy Gulf states balk at accepting Jordan, Morocco

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has failed to approve membership applications for Jordan and Morocco. Officials acknowledged that the GCC was divided over whether to admit Jordan and Morocco amid rising tension with neighboring Iran. They said several of the six GCC members, including the United Arab Emirates, determined that […]

Gulf states weighing plan for regional police force

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has been examining a proposal to establish a regional police force. Officials said the GCC would receive a plan for a regional police force to bolster security throughout the Gulf. They said the force would be similar to law enforcement organizations in Asia and Europe. […]

If war is declared on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz will be the strategic focus

If war is declared on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz will be the strategic focus

Special to WorldTribune.com By Fariborz Saremi, FreePressers.com With Iran torn by political turmoil, the Persian Gulf and its energy riches are once again in the eye of the storm and the focus is on the Strait of Hormuz, the only gateway to the Persian Gulf and arguably the world’s most strategic choke point. Iran’s leaders […]

U.S. Air Force takes delivery of 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator

U.S. Air Force takes delivery of 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has acquired a massive bomb designed to destroy underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Officials said the U.S. Air Force has taken delivery of a new bomb meant to penetrate and destroy underground facilities. They said the Air Force first received the Massive Ordnance Penetrator in September under […]