Special to WorldTribune.com Defense Intelligence Agency warnings in 2012 of the emerging Islamic State of Iraq and Levant’s (ISIL’s) threat to Syria were ignored by U.S. President Barack Obama, according to declassified documents. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) documents, dated Aug. 12, 2012 were obtained by Judicial Watch, which said the Obama administration swept aside […]
Special to WorldTribune.com by Dr. Jack Caravelli, Geostrategy-Direct Russia is using a broad repertoire of economic, diplomatic and military tools to expand its influence in the Middle East, taking advantage of the Obama administration’s broad disengagement there. Once described derisively by Barack Obama as a “local power,” Russia is demonstrating considerable interest and skill in […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Senior Obama administration officials altered reports from intelligence analysts at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to make Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and other terror groups seem weaker than the analysts believed. According to a report by The Daily Beast on Sept. 9, more than 50 analysts had supported a complaint […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has determined that the Iraqi military would require more than a year to regain offensive capability. Officials said the U.S. military’s Central Command concluded that the Iraq Army was moving slowly toward reorganizing units after its collapse in June 2014. They said Iraqi units would need massive […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has reported continued Saudi participation in air strikes on Syria. Officials said Saudi Arabia was a leading contributor to the U.S.-led air strikes on Iraq and Syria. The officials said the Royal Saudi Air Force was sending U.S.-origin F-15 fighter-jets in operations against Islamic State of Iraq […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has acknowledged that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was operating an advanced armored personnel carrier captured in Iraq. U.S. Central Command cited the Mine Resistant-Ambush Protected vehicle, manufactured by Oshkosh Defense and deemed the leading wheeled armored platform for the U.S. military in Afghanistan and […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States does not expect Qatar’s crisis with the Gulf Cooperation Council to hamper military relations. Officials said the GCC’s unofficial boycott of Qatar would not harm U.S. efforts to bolster the six-member Gulf Arab alliance. The officials said Qatar, despite its confrontation with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military no longer sees the Arab-Israeli conflict as a priority. The military’s Central Command, in contrast to that of the administration of President Barack Obama, has not designated either the Arab-Israeli or Israeli-Palestinian dispute as a key threat to U.S. interests or regional stability. In a briefing […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has been helping Arab militaries improve their image. The U.S. military’s Central Command has administered a program to teach Arab militaries communications and public relations. Officers said the U.S. effort, launched in 2011, has been offered to a range of Middle East countries, including Egypt, whose military […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The United States has sustained military programs despite the Iran-backed Shi’ite insurgency in Bahrain. Diplomatic sources said U.S. Central Command has not suspended its $500 million plan to modernize its facilities in Bahrain. The sources said the Shi’ite revolt, which began in 2011, has not significantly affected construction and […]