The real scandal: According observer status to the world’s most powerful leader

The real scandal: According observer status to the world’s most powerful leader

Sol W. Sanders   One of the more bizarre aspects of the current deluge of Washington scandals is that their very numbers permit President Barack Obama to finesse and continue to play a role as No. 1 observer and chief political fundraiser. The almost weekly additions to news of the administration’s dereliction of duty and […]

Congress concerned over Obama’s easing of arms exports

Congress concerned over Obama’s easing of arms exports

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — Congress, citing threats by China and Iran, has become concerned over plans to ease controls over U.S. arms exports. The focus of congressional concern has been the Obama administration’s effort to revise the U.S. Munitions List. The list, managed by the State Department, would remove restrictions on entire categories of […]

State Dept. drops plan to make Iraq embassy its largest after Baghdad limits cooperation

State Dept. drops plan to make Iraq embassy its largest after Baghdad limits cooperation

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, frustrated by security restrictions, intends to significantly reduce its presence in Iraq. Officials said the State Department has decided to drop plans to expand the U.S. embassy in Baghdad to become the largest in the world. They said the department has acknowledged that embassy staffers would be […]

U.S. says Syria’s Assad ‘no longer in full control of the country’, may close embassy

U.S. says Syria’s Assad ‘no longer in full control of the country’, may close embassy

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The State Department said it was examining the prospect of closing the U.S. embassy in Damascus and evacuating American staffers. The department said a final decision could be taken by next month. “While no decision has been made, we have serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Damascus,” the […]

Security fears for Americans in Iraq: Contractors have ‘stopped carrying weapons’

Security fears for Americans in Iraq: Contractors have ‘stopped carrying weapons’

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — A former State Department official said the 16,500 security personnel retained to provide security in Iraq are increasingly vulnerable to a range of insurgency groups. Peter Van Buren, a former State Department reconstruction team leader in Iraq, said his former employer has instituted rules that endanger private contractors. “The security […]

Obama streamlines military exports to Gulf states

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has significantly eased restrictions on military aircraft exports in what could benefit Arab allies in the Middle East. The administration of President Barack Obama has released a draft that would transfer responsibility for military aircraft from the State Department to the Commerce Department. Under the administration plan, […]

Report: U.S. ignores human rights in military training programs abroad

Report: U.S. ignores human rights in military training programs abroad

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has ignored human rights and civilian relations in military education programs in the Middle East, a report said. The Government Accountability Office, in a report titled “International Military Education and Training,” asserted that the Defense Department and State Department have ignored human rights in military education programs […]