U.S. sends fast patrol boats to Djibouti

U.S. sends fast patrol boats to Djibouti

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has delivered maritime security vessels to Djibouti. The U.S. State Department has supplied two high-speed aluminum coastal security boats to the Djiboutian Navy. Officials said the boats would enhance Djibouti’s maritime security capabilities as well as border security. “The center of gravity of the Djiboutian economy is […]

Egypt captures ships carrying 200,000 weapons off coast of Sinai

Egypt captures ships carrying 200,000 weapons off coast of Sinai

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt was said to have intercepted two weapons ships sent by Iran. Security sources said the Egyptian Navy stopped two suspected Iranian-sponsored vessels off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula in this month. The Iranian ships, which contained nearly 200,000 weapons, were intercepted as they moved through the Red Sea […]

Israel Navy patrols block African migrants thwarted by security barrier

Israel Navy patrols block African migrants thwarted by security barrier

Special to WorldTribune.com TEL AVIV — The Israel Navy has been recruited to protect against infiltration by African migrants. Military sources said the General Staff has ordered the Navy to increase patrols of the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea amid concern that African migrants would try to infiltrate the Jewish state. The sources said migrants […]

Saudi orders 170 rigs in search for Red Sea natural gas

Saudi orders 170 rigs in search for Red Sea natural gas

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has ordered a record number of rigs for energy exploration in 2013. Industry sources said the state-owned Saudi Aramco would acquire and operate more than 170 rigs for natural gas exploration in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. The sources said Aramco has ordered additional rigs to maintain […]

Somali pirates upgrade operations with satellite communications, extend range

Somali pirates upgrade operations with satellite communications, extend range

Special to WorldTribune.com MOSCOW — Somali pirates are said to have enhanced their combat skills in attacks in the Arabian and Red Seas. A leading Russian commander said Somali pirates have been equipped with modern weapons and communications to sustain operations amid the deployment of an international task force based in the Gulf of Aden. […]

Piracy still a thrivng business in Somalia, backed by international financiers

Piracy still a thrivng business in Somalia, backed by international financiers

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Despite a sharp drop in the success rate, hundreds of Somalis continue to engage in piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf. A senior U.S. official said hundreds of Somalis continue to be employed as pirates and target merchant vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Thomas Kelly, […]

The diverging U.S. and Israeli interests and a joint strategy on Iran

The diverging U.S. and Israeli interests and a joint strategy on Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com By Fariborz Saremi, FreePressers.com American and Israeli attitudes to the risk posed by an Iran in possession of nuclear weapons are based on diverging historical experiences. Having seen previous strategies fail to achieve their objectives, President Barack Obama is apparently set on pursuing a policy that focuses on hard international sanctions. A […]

American tourists kidnapped in the Sinai by Al Qaida-aligned Bedouins

American tourists kidnapped in the Sinai by Al Qaida-aligned Bedouins

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — At least two Americans have been abducted in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Bedouin gunmen believed linked to Al Qaida attacked a group of Americans in southern Sinai on Feb. 3. This marked the first abduction of Americans in Sinai since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011. […]