Saudi claims successes against Iran’s ‘trouble-making’ in Middle East

Saudi claims successes against Iran’s ‘trouble-making’ in Middle East

Special to WorldTribune.com Saudi Arabia will not hesitate to confront Iran’s “trouble-making” in the region, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said. At a news conference in Amman, Jordan on July 9, Jubeir said the Saudis were “determined that Iran should not have a negative intervention in the region or in Arab countries.” Jubeir said Riyadh […]

ISIL’s stealth plotting against top Shi’ite militia ‘planned for months’

ISIL’s stealth plotting against top Shi’ite militia ‘planned for months’

Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com BAGHDAD — Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has targeted Iraq’s leading Shi’ite militia. Officials said ISIL has begun a campaign against the Mahdi Army, deemed the largest Shi’ite militia in Iraq. They said ISIL squads were monitoring and attacking Mahdi strongholds in an effort to sow panic among the ruling […]

Iraq mobilizing against ISIL with backing from Iran, U.S.

Iraq mobilizing against ISIL with backing from Iran, U.S.

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — Iraq is amassing forces for a counter-offensive against Al Qaida with assistance from the United States and Iran. Officials said the Iraq Army and security forces have mobilized tens of thousands of troops for a counter-offensive against Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The officials said the […]

Iraq meltdown: How long would the ISIS last against a few battalions of U.S. Marines?

Iraq meltdown: How long would the ISIS last against a few battalions of U.S. Marines?

UNITED NATIONS — Like a swirling and malevolent desert sandstorm, an Islamic jihadi terrorist movement is sweeping across northern Iraq. With decisive speed, lightning gains, and sickening brutality the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has seized key cities and destabilized an ineffective government in Baghdad. Washington has been jarred by these events […]

This spring, the Middle East gears up for ‘End-of-time battle’ foretold by the Prophet Mohammed

This spring, the Middle East gears up for ‘End-of-time battle’ foretold by the Prophet Mohammed

Special to WorldTribune.com This is Spring, And this is the hand of Spring Wiping the blood off his face. Adonis (Ali Ahmad Said Esber, a Syrian poet and essayist, born Jan. 1, 1930.) By Yossef Bodansky, Senior Editor, Global Information System / Defense & Foreign Affairs It is Spring in the Middle East. The rising […]

Time for a Geneva II reality check: There are more than two sides to the new chessboard

Time for a Geneva II reality check: There are more than two sides to the new chessboard

Special to WorldTribune.com By Yossef Bodansky, Senior Editor, Global Information System / Defense & Foreign Affairs In the so-called “Geneva II” round of talks underway (in Montreux, Switzerland, not Geneva) during late January 2014, on the conflict in Syria, Syrian opposition chief Ahmed Jarba has kept demanding, in the name of the international community, the […]

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 […]

The Saudis, Iran and the spreading Islamic Cold War in the Middle East

The Saudis, Iran and the spreading Islamic Cold War in the Middle East

Special to WorldTribune.com By Fariborz Saremi In 632 the Prophet Mohammad died, leaving behind a struggle between Shi’ites and Sunnis over the true line of succession. Today this rivalry is still alive and well in the Middle East, in particular, between the Sunni/Wahabi Muslim Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shi’ite Islamic republic of Iran. […]

Iraq leader: ‘Evil’ Al Qaida forces cross border from Syria

Iraq leader: ‘Evil’ Al Qaida forces cross border from Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com BAGHDAD — The Sunni revolt in Syria is said to have spilled into neighboring Iraq. Officials said the U.S.-trained Iraq Army and security forces have faced the worst violence since the pullout of the U.S. military in 2011. They said the violence, including attacks on soldiers and police, stemmed from Al Qaida […]

Iran’s Iraq strategy revealed in battle for Shi’ites’ spiritual center in Najaf

Iran’s Iraq strategy revealed in battle for Shi’ites’ spiritual center in Najaf

Special to WorldTribune.com By Fariborz Saremi It was hoped the overthrow of Saddam would herald a new age of democracy and growth in Iraq. Instead chaos, destruction and inter-faction bloodshed followed. Discreetly, however, away from the spotlight of the international press, another less obvious change has been going on: The Iran revolutionary system has been […]