Gulf Arab states weigh sanctions on ‘sisterly’ Qatar for its drift into Iran orbit

Gulf Arab states weigh sanctions on ‘sisterly’ Qatar for its drift into Iran orbit

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Qatar could face Gulf Cooperation Council sanctions amid its support of Hizbullah and the Muslim Brotherhood. Officials and analysts said Qatar could be penalized by the GCC for Doha’s support of groups deemed threats to the region. [See also: Breaking bad: Qatar splits with Gulf neighbors over Iran in […]

Gulf states split with Qatar over its support for Muslim Brotherhood

Gulf states split with Qatar over its support for Muslim Brotherhood

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has sparked a crisis with Qatar over its hosting of the Muslim Brotherhood. At least three GCC states have withdrawn their ambassadors from Qatar in protest of the emirate’s support of the Brotherhood. Diplomats said Doha dismissed a GCC assessment that the Brotherhood sought to […]

Intelligence chief confirms Arab shift away from U.S. over ‘policies on Iran, Syria and Egypt’

Intelligence chief confirms Arab shift away from U.S. over ‘policies on Iran, Syria and Egypt’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community, in its first such assessment, has warned of a loss of America’s Arab allies. The intelligence community said the Gulf Cooperation Council could be the first Arab allies to move away from the United States. In a report to Congress, the 16-agency community cited widespread opposition […]

Thousands of Gulf states joint forces still in Bahrain but ‘are hardly seen actually’

Thousands of Gulf states joint forces still in Bahrain but ‘are hardly seen actually’

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has maintained thousands of troops in Bahrain to help quell the Iranian-backed Shi’ite revolt. Officials said thousands of troops from GCC states have been operating in Bahrain for nearly three years. They said the troops come from the GCC’s Peninsula Shield Force, most of them […]

Report IDs 3 Gulf states that succeeded in containing Iran-inspired uprisings

Report IDs 3 Gulf states that succeeded in containing Iran-inspired uprisings

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Three Gulf Cooperation Council states have maintained stable relations with its large Shi’ite minority, a report aid. The American Enterprise Institute asserted that Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have avoided Shi’ite unrest believed instigated by Iran. In a report, the institute said the large Shi’ite communities have been […]

Gulf economies told to reduce dependence on crude oil exports

Gulf economies told to reduce dependence on crude oil exports

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI ― The Gulf Cooperation Council has again been urged to diversify its oil-based economies. [See also: Saudis confident environmentalists will stall U.S. shale revolution] A leading financial consultant has warned that the six GCC states must reduce dependence on crude oil exports. PineBridge Investments, with a presence in the Gulf, […]

GREATEST HITS 2013: Former Joint Chiefs chairman: Obama plotted to destabilize regimes in Bahrain, Egypt

GREATEST HITS 2013: Former Joint Chiefs chairman: Obama plotted to destabilize regimes in Bahrain, Egypt

Special to WorldTribune.com Originally published Oct. 3, 2013 [Editors Note: The following report was based in part on a report by the Gulf Daily News in Bahrain which has been disputed by the government of Bahrain and the U.S embassy there. The Gulf Daily news stands by its report. See: Bahrain, U.S. embassy deny reports […]

Diplomatic blitz by U.S., Iran failed to reassure Gulf states

Diplomatic blitz by U.S., Iran failed to reassure Gulf states

Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com Six Arab states in the Gulf region led by Saudi Arabia have agreed to form a joint military command in order to achieve better strategic and operational coordination. The landmark agreement was reached on Dec.11 in Kuwait when member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council including Saudi Arabia, […]

Gulf states’ draft plan calls for unified force of 100,000 to counter Iran threat

Gulf states’ draft plan calls for unified force of 100,000 to counter Iran threat

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has planned a unified military force that consists of 100,000 soldiers. Officials said Saudi Arabia has drafted a plan for a unified military command for the six GCC states to counter the threat from neighboring Iran. The officials said the command, based in Saudi Arabia, […]

Looming threats from Iran, Iraq focuses Gulf states on military unity

Looming threats from Iran, Iraq focuses Gulf states on military unity

Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council, faced with threats from Iran and Iraq, has promoted military unity. Officials said Saudi Arabia was pushing a proposal to merge parts of the militaries of the six GCC states. They said the states have already achieved a high degree of military coordination, particularly […]