‘Dangerous moment’ for America, Israel lobby warns

‘Dangerous moment’ for America, Israel lobby warns

Special to WorldTribune.com Implementation of the nuclear deal marks a “turning point for Iran’s strength as a terrorist state” and a “dangerous moment for America and our allies,” the American pro-Israel lobby AIPAC warned on Jan. 16. AIPAC surprised some Democratic Party observers when it broke with the Obama Administration last year over the Iran […]

State Dept. reports concrete poured into Arak nuclear reactor, mum on violations

State Dept. reports concrete poured into Arak nuclear reactor, mum on violations

Special to WorldTribune.com Iran has poured concrete into the core of its heavy water reactor at Arak, the U.S. State Department said on Jan. 14. The move is seen as critical to the implementation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers and the lifting of sanctions that will free up billions of dollars […]

UN Human Rights chair, Saudi Arabia, has already executed 50 in 2016

UN Human Rights chair, Saudi Arabia, has already executed 50 in 2016

Special to WorldTribune.com Saudi Arabia has carried out 50 executions in the first 10 days of 2016. Saudi Arabia is the chair of the UN Human Rights Council UNHRC. The 50th execution of the new year came on Jan. 10 when Jinat Farid from Ethiopia was executed for the murder of a Saudi woman, according […]

Iran expresses ‘regret’ over attacks on Saudi embassy

Iran expresses ‘regret’ over attacks on Saudi embassy

Special to WorldTribune.com Teheran’s UN envoy on Jan. 4 issues a statement of “regret” for the attacks on Saudi diplomatic facilities in Iran. Gholamali Khoshroo, in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said Iran “will take necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future.” Iranians protesting Saudi’s execution of outspoken […]

2016: Light vs darkness, time to solve Syria, opportunity in Latin America, rising China threat

2016: Light vs darkness, time to solve Syria, opportunity in Latin America, rising China threat

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler NEW YORK — It’s time to consult the crystal snow globe for a look at both the likely and unexpected events which will shape the New Year. Serious strife both in the Middle East, and Africa to a lesser extent, have expanded leading to a culture of conflict […]

UN resolution takes aim at ISIL finances

UN resolution takes aim at ISIL finances

Special to WorldTribune.com The Untied Nations on Dec. 17 adopted a resolution aimed at cutting “the flow of funds” to Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). “While we are making progress to financially isolate ISIL, if we are to succeed we all must intensify our efforts, on our own and together at the international […]

Rival Libyan factions sign deal, Gen. Haftar appeals for arms against ISIL

Rival Libyan factions sign deal, Gen. Haftar appeals for arms against ISIL

Special to WorldTribune.com Libya’s rival factions on Dec. 17 signed a UN-brokered agreement to form a unity government. Gen. Khalifa Haftar, the military commander for what had been the internationally recognized government in Tobruk, said he hoped the deal would lead to the end of a UN arms embargo as Libya faces a growing threat […]

Israel calls IAEA vote ‘political’ as Iran nuclear weapons investigation ends

Israel calls IAEA vote ‘political’ as Iran nuclear weapons investigation ends

Special to WorldTribune.com The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decision on Dec. 15 to end its investigation into the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program was “political,” an Israeli official said. Yuval Steinitz, national infrastructure, energy and water minister, said the IAEA made its decision after being pressured from world powers that brokered the […]

Iran nuclear deal means world may never know extent of its weapons program

Iran nuclear deal means world may never know extent of its weapons program

Special to WorldTribune.com The full extent to which Iran pursued nuclear weapons technology may never be known after the United Nations nuclear agency on Dec. 15 closed its investigation of Teheran’s program. As part of the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreed to formally end the investigation. […]

IAEA report: Iran’s work on a nuclear weapon continued after 2003

IAEA report: Iran’s work on a nuclear weapon continued after 2003

Special to WorldTribune.com By Golnaz Esfandiari, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty The UN’s atomic watchdog says it believes Iran conducted activities relevant to developing nuclear weapons at least until the end of 2003 but that its activities didn’t go further than planning and basic experiments. “The agency has found no credible indications of the […]