Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama continues to report improved performance by Iraq’s military despite other reports to the contrary. Officials said the U.S. military and Defense Department were assessing that the Iraq Army remained capable of defending Baghdad and regaining key cities in the north. The officials said the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has warned that its presence in Iraq was in danger. A classified military assessment ordered by the administration of President Barack Obama determined that U.S. special operations forces could be targeted in Iraq. The assessment said U.S. advisers could not be embedded in at least half of […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Qatar has signed agreements to acquire aircraft and missiles from the United States. The Gulf Cooperation Council emirate signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the procurement of the PAC-3 air and missile defense systems, AH-64D Apache attack helicopter and the Javelin anti-tank guided missile. The agreements, signed on […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has deployed combat unmanned aerial vehicles in Iraq. The Defense Department said the U.S. military has used both manned and unmanned aircraft amid the war against Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The Pentagon said some of the unidentified UAVs were armed to protect […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has deployed commandos to assess the Iraqi military and its ability to combat Al Qaida. Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama would send up to 400 special operations troops to Iraq. They said the soldiers, the first of whom arrived on June 24, would review […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department said it has overseen increased security at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The department said it ordered the transfer of embassy staffers to neighboring Jordan. “The embassy of the United States in Baghdad remains open and will continue to engage daily with Iraqis and their elected […]
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 WASHINGTON — The United States plans to enhance military cooperation with Djibouti. Officials said Djibouti and the United States agreed to bolster their strategic relationship in an effort to stabilize the Horn of Africa which has contended with the influx and migration of Islamist fighters. The officials said the agreement was reached […]
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 […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has intercepted a North Korean tanker loaded with oil from Libya. The Defense Department said the U.S. Navy stopped and boarded the North Korean ship, called Morning Glory, on March 17. The Pentagon said the interception, approved by President Barack Obama, was conducted at the request of […]