U.S. fast-tracking F-16 deliveries to Egypt despite mounting unrest

U.S. fast-tracking F-16 deliveries to Egypt despite mounting unrest

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has transferred four advanced fighter-jets to Egypt. The U.S. Air Force has formally relayed four F-16 Block 52 multi-role fighters to Egypt. Officials said the transfer to the Egyptian Air Force took place on Jan. 22 in the United States. “The recent transfer of four F-16 Block […]

Egyptians say F-16 deal proves Morsi passed U.S. test ‘with flying colors’

Egyptians say F-16 deal proves Morsi passed U.S. test ‘with flying colors’

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has concluded that the delivery of advanced F-16 multi-role fighters marked U.S. support for the Islamist regime of President Mohammed Morsi. Analysts and diplomats said the U.S. agreement to begin delivery of the F-16 Block 52 aircraft to Cairo marked a watershed in relations between Morsi and President Barack […]

Report cites evidence Egypt could be ‘pursuing proliferation’

Report cites evidence Egypt could be ‘pursuing proliferation’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Egypt’s nuclear program has sparked concern among the non-proliferation community. The Institute for Science and International Security said Egypt could be conducting nuclear activities with applications for the assembly of an atomic bomb. In a report, the institute urged the United States to pressure the new Islamist regime of President […]

Obama expedites delivery of F-16s to Morsi’s Egypt

Obama expedites delivery of F-16s to Morsi’s Egypt

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — The United States, despite opposition from Congress, has begun sending F-16 multi-role fighters as well as main battle tanks to Egypt. A senior U.S. official said the administration of President Barack Obama has ordered the Defense Department to begin sending the first of 20 F-16 Block 52+ aircraft on Jan. […]

Report: U.S. policy goal was to retain military ties with Cairo’s new Islamist government

Report: U.S. policy goal was to retain military ties with Cairo’s new Islamist government

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has sought to maintain military cooperation with Egypt amid rising unrest against its first Islamist regime, a report said. The Congressional Research Service asserted that the administration of President Barack Obama and Congress have been closely monitoring the massive protests against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and the […]

Egypt announces plan to stop Sinai-Gaza arms smuggling as U.S. official arrives

Egypt announces plan to stop Sinai-Gaza arms smuggling as U.S. official arrives

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt has drafted a plan to stop arms smuggling to the Gaza Strip. The announcement came as Egypt was preparing for a summit with the United States. On Jan. 6, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers arrived in Cairo for two days of meetings to discuss the security […]

Israel’s successful Sudan air strike delivered a pointed message to Iran

Israel’s successful Sudan air strike delivered a pointed message to Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com Global Information System Israel’s precision air strike on Oct. 24, against the Yarmouk weapons production facility in the suburbs of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, was — apart from destroying a facility which provided rockets and missiles to Hamas to use against Israel — clearly intended to send a direct message to the […]

New regime closes Egypt’s last synagogue

New regime closes Egypt’s last synagogue

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Egypt’s new Islamist regime has stopped the last synagogue from holding services. The Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue was told by the regime of President Mohammed Morsi that Jews would not be allowed to pray during High Holiday services in September. The synagogue’s rabbi was told that Egyptian police could not guarantee […]

Gulf states see Obama’s hand in rise of Muslim Brotherhood

Gulf states see Obama’s hand in rise of Muslim Brotherhood

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Gulf Arab states have detected a U.S. role in the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in the region. The Gulf Cooperation Council was said to have been examining the growth of Brotherhood-aligned groups in the six member states over the last year. GCC sources said the Brotherhood’s expansion in […]

U.S. revisits plan with Cairo to build barrier to Gaza Strip border

U.S. revisits plan with Cairo to build barrier to Gaza Strip border

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has revived a border security project blocked by Egypt. Diplomatic sources said Washington was pressing for the renewal of a $23 million security project in the Sinai Peninsula vetoed by the former regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The sources said Mubarak and the military had been […]