Egypt plays down suspension of U.S. aid, holds major exercise near Suez Canal

Egypt plays down suspension of U.S. aid, holds major exercise near Suez Canal

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has concluded a major military exercise in the turbulent Sinai Peninsula. The Egyptian military has staged Bader-2014 in the Sinai in early May. Bader contained several stages as well as mock air-infantry operations near the Suez Canal. Officials said the nearly year-long U.S. suspension of major combat platforms has […]

U.S. resumes Egypt exercises despite ouster of Brotherhood regime

U.S. resumes Egypt exercises despite ouster of Brotherhood regime

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The United States plans to resume major combat exercises with Egypt. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama was discussing the resumption of combat exercises with Egypt. The officials said the administration planned to renew the Bright Star multinational exercise, canceled in September 2013. “The United States has been […]

Obama administration rushes shipments of missiles, drones to Iraq

Obama administration rushes shipments of missiles, drones to Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has acted to accelerate arms deliveries to Iraq in an effort stop the Al Qaida takeover. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama approved the acceleration of defense exports to Iraq. They said the Iraqi military would acquire unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles in early 2014. […]

Egypt’s useless combat platforms ‘are just sitting in warehouses’

Egypt’s useless combat platforms ‘are just sitting in warehouses’

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Egypt’s military has been struggling to absorb U.S.-origin combat platforms. Industry sources said the Egyptian Army was unable to deploy many of the combat platforms supplied by the United States. They cited the M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, the focus of a co-production program with General Dynamics. “There are tanks […]

Jordan heats up; King anxious over delays in U.S. arms exports

Jordan heats up; King anxious over delays in U.S. arms exports

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Jordan, which is hosting 1,000 U.S. troops and tens of thousands of Syrian refugees and fighters preparing to enter Syria, has expressed dismay over delays in U.S. arms exports. The United States has some 1,000 troops — part of what has been called U.S. Central Command Forward, Jordan. The unit, […]

U.S. now sees deployment in Jordan lasting ‘several years’

U.S. now sees deployment in Jordan lasting ‘several years’

Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — The United States envisions a long-term military presence in Jordan. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama was preparing to maintain or expand the U.S. military presence in Jordan. The officials said the U.S. presence, comprised of the Army’s 1st Armored Division, would help protect Jordan from the Islamist […]

Diplomat: Obama approved intelligence leaks on Israeli air strikes in Syria

Diplomat: Obama approved intelligence leaks on Israeli air strikes in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community leaked information on Israeli air strikes on Syria, sources said. Diplomats said the administration of President Barack Obama has enabled the intelligence community to disclose Israeli military operations against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad. They said the leaks included unreported Israeli air and naval […]

Congress votes to block aid to Egypt, funds for operations in Syria

Congress votes to block aid to Egypt, funds for operations in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Congress has begun imposing restrictions on military aid to Egypt while ruling out funding for U.S. intervention in Syria. The House approved a defense spending bill by a vote of 409-12 that slashed overseas allocations and imposed restrictions on aid to Middle East countries. Under one amendment approved on late […]

Report: Jordan’s focus on Air Force increasing its vulnerability

Report: Jordan’s focus on Air Force increasing its vulnerability

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has been urged to pressure Jordan to reduce its military budget. The Council on Foreign Relations has issued a report that called on the administration of President Barack Obama to pressure the Hashemite kingdom. The report said Washington should push King Abdullah to reduce the budget of […]