The backstory to Russia’s S-300 missile sale to Iran, defying bans

The backstory to Russia’s S-300 missile sale to Iran, defying bans

Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com At the most critical juncture of the difficult 6-party talk with Iran on ending Tehran’s nuclear program, the Kremlin announced it was lifting the ban on exporting to Iran an advanced missile defense system known as S-300. The sale of S-300 missile defense system to Iran is particular […]

Nuclear scare: Russian bombers skirted British border for hours

Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com For 12 hours last month two Russian strategic bombers flew close to the sovereign air space of Great Britain in the English Channel, failing to communicate with either London or NATO before or during the provocation. The Jan. 28 incident involving long-range T-95s ignited a war of diplomatic […]

BACKGROUNDER: Indian intel warns of terror attacks on U.S. sites after diplomatic row

BACKGROUNDER: Indian intel warns of terror attacks on U.S. sites after diplomatic row

The Indian government has sent an official diplomatic note to the U.S. embassy demanding that the U.S. shut down all social clubs and all commercial activities including tax-free alcohol inside its large embassy compound in New Delhi by Jan. 16. This is apparently in retaliation against the arrest and alleged rough handling by New York […]

Iran and Russia agree: Their missile deal does not defy sanctions

Iran and Russia agree: Their missile deal does not defy sanctions

Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com Iran’s government insists Russian-made S-300 missiles are defensive weapons, therefore not subject to the international ban on weapons exports to Iran. The Russians apparently agree, and are thus in open defiance of the U.S.-led effort to isolate Iran that is developing its own nuclear and long range missile […]

China’s counter to GPS targets SE Asia en route to global market

China’s counter to GPS targets SE Asia en route to global market

Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com China is aggressively pressing its global positioning service, known as the Beidou, into service throughout the entire Southeast Asia region. The goal is to extend coverage regionally, before achieving global coverage by 2020. China views Southeast Asia as key to countering the influence of the United States and […]

U.S. Navy developing unmanned submarines for anti-sub warfare

U.S. Navy developing unmanned submarines for anti-sub warfare

Special to WorldTribune.com Compiled by Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com As the U.S. transitions to littoral warfare in key parts the world, including the Western Pacific, Persian Gulf, Straits of Hormuz and the Caribbean, the threats posed by small, quiet, diesel-electric enemy submarines is growing. To deal with this, the Pentagon has developed a program to assemble […]

FLASHBACK: Where did Saddam’s WMD go? To Syria …

FLASHBACK: Where did Saddam’s WMD go? To Syria …

Special to WorldTribune.com (Originally posted on Aug. 26, 2003.) U.S. intelligence suspects Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction have finally been located. Unfortunately, getting to them will be nearly impossible for the United States and its allies, because the containers with the strategic materials are not in Iraq. Instead they are located in Lebanon’s heavily-fortified Bekaa […]

U.S. confirms intelligence dispute with Israel over Iran’s nuke program

U.S. confirms intelligence dispute with Israel over Iran’s nuke program

Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff has reported differences with Israel in the interpretation of intelligence on Iran’s nuclear program. Officials said the U.S. intelligence community regarded the latest information as supporting Washington’s position that Teheran could still be swayed by economic sanctions while Israel concluded that Iran was […]

Geostrategy-Direct: Russia opposes hasty pullout, offers NATO access to supply air base

Geostrategy-Direct: Russia opposes hasty pullout, offers NATO access to supply air base

Special to WorldTribune.com Compiled by Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com In a surprise move, a senior Russian official said on March 14 that the country may allow NATO to use an air base in southern Russia as a hub to transport supplies to Afghanistan. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said that it might not be wise […]

Intel on the rocks: Strains grow in U.S.-Israel ties as Iran crisis looms

Intel on the rocks: Strains grow in U.S.-Israel ties as Iran crisis looms

Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com WASHINGTON — Israel and the United States, amid the threat of an attack on Iran, have undergone a sharp decline in their intelligence cooperation. Officials said the intelligence communities of Israel and the United States have encountered increasing disagreement regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons capabilities. They said U.S. intelligence officials have become […]