Special to WorldTribune.com Sinking oil prices are weighing heavily on Mideast economies. In Saudi Arabia, the construction sector has been hit hard by low oil prices as several firms with government contracts are failing to make payroll. The Riyadh government has significantly cut spending on building projects as it seeks to reduce a budget deficit […]
Special to WorldTribune.com from WASHINGTON — The United States has targeted crude oil refineries in Syria held by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Officials said the U.S. Air Force and Arab allies attacked 12 mobile oil refineries operated by ISIL in northern Syria. The officials said the refineries were earning revenues of up […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Qatar, under heavy pressure from Arab states, has demanded the departure of seven leading members of the Egyptian-based Muslim Brotherhood. Brotherhood sources said the Gulf Cooperation Council emirate has informed seven MB operatives that they must leave Qatar in October 2014. They said the notification was sent in mid-September to […]
Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com ABU DHABI — China and the Gulf Cooperation Council have pledged to form a strategic alliance. Officials said Beijing planned to significantly increase investment in the six-member GCC. They said China was replacing the United States as the leading economic partner of the Middle East. “It is also a major event […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Congress has been warned that Saudi Arabia and its regional allies were moving away from the United States. A House subcommittee heard testimony that the Gulf Cooperation Council found the United States unreliable amid its rapproachment with Iran. The House Middle East and Africa subcommittee also raised the prospect that […]
Special to WorldTribune.com AMMAN — Jordan has disclosed plans for a major military exercise in May 2014. The military said it would host a multi-national exercise called Eager Lion scheduled for May 25. The two-week exercise would contain more than 13,000 troops from 24 countries. The latest edition of Eager Lion, organized by Jordan and […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, amid its rapprochement with Iran, plans to lead a defense seminar with the Gulf Cooperation Council. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was scheduled to leave Washington on May 12 to participate in the U.S.-GCC defense ministers parley in the Saudi city of Jedda. Officials said Hagel would […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Oman plans to build a massive facility to service oil tankers in the Gulf. The Oman Supreme Planning Council approved a project to build a logistics hub in the central Gulf Cooperation Council sultanate. The council said the complex would encompass 90 square kilometers near the two entry points […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Bahrain has more than doubled its defense budget. The Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom increased its defense budget by 110 percent since 2004. In 2013, Manama’s military spending, fueled by the threat from neighboring Iran, rose by 26 percent from the previous year. “Military spending in the Middle East increased […]
Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The United States has intensified a defense dialogue with the United Arab Emirates. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama was focusing on expanding defense relations with the UAE amid the U.S. rift with Saudi Arabia. The officials said Washington was considering expanding the U.S. military presence in […]