Strategist: U.S.-Gulf state alliance could ‘completely destroy Iran’s armed forces’

Strategist: U.S.-Gulf state alliance could ‘completely destroy Iran’s armed forces’

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council, with U.S. support, was expected to destroy Iran’s military in any regional war. A leading Gulf strategist said the six GCC states were capable of repelling any Iranian attack. Riad Kahwaji, chief executive officer of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, said […]

Qatar leads call for Arab League to deploy troops in Syria

Qatar leads call for Arab League to deploy troops in Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Qatar has become the first to call for foreign troop deployment in Syria. Qatar, deemed the leading supporter of the revolt against President Bashar Assad, has demanded that Arab League forces arrive in Syria to stop the bloodshed. Qatar’s Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani said the Arab League must […]

Turkey keeps rival Syrian rebel groups guessing on its intentions

Turkey keeps rival Syrian rebel groups guessing on its intentions

Special to WorldTribune.com LONDON — Syria’s rebel army, based in Turkey, has reported shortages in weapons and funds. The Free Syrian Army has urged Arab and other opponents of the regime of President Bashar Assad to rush aid to the rebel force. “If the FSA had greater capabilities the situation on the ground would be […]

TOP 2011 STORIES: U.S. Air Force advised to conduct simulations for strike against nuclear Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com Wednesday, June 22, 2011 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has been urged to prepare for war with Iran. The Rand Corp. asserted that the Air Force must increase exercises and testing of weapons as part of preparations for any order to attack Iran. In a report for the Air Force, Rand […]

U.S. focusing on Kuwait after pullout from Iraq

U.S. focusing on Kuwait after pullout from Iraq

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The Congressional Research Service has reported that U.S. aid was improving the military of Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council sheikdom. CRS said Kuwait, deemed a major non-NATO ally of the United States, has expanded its military since the Iraq invasion in 1990. The report said Washington has been equipping Kuwait […]

Top guns: Saudis spent $13.8 billion on Western weapons from 2007-2010

Top guns:  Saudis spent $13.8 billion on Western weapons from 2007-2010

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia has again topped a list of the world’s leading defense clients over the last decade. The Congressional Research Service asserted that the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom was the top weapons procurer in 2010. In a report by Richard Grimmett, CRS said Saudi Arabia received $1.2 billion worth of […]

Wealthy Gulf states balk at accepting Jordan, Morocco

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has failed to approve membership applications for Jordan and Morocco. Officials acknowledged that the GCC was divided over whether to admit Jordan and Morocco amid rising tension with neighboring Iran. They said several of the six GCC members, including the United Arab Emirates, determined that […]

Gulf states weighing plan for regional police force

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The Gulf Cooperation Council has been examining a proposal to establish a regional police force. Officials said the GCC would receive a plan for a regional police force to bolster security throughout the Gulf. They said the force would be similar to law enforcement organizations in Asia and Europe. […]

Ex-Saudi intel director says kingdom must consider ‘acquiring WMDs’

Ex-Saudi intel director says kingdom must consider ‘acquiring WMDs’

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — A prominent Saudi said Riyad could consider the feasibility of joining any nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Former Saudi intelligence director Prince Turki Al Faisal said the Gulf Arab kingdom would not fall behind the nuclear weapons programs of Iran and Israel. “Our efforts and those of […]