John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — An arc of political and social instability exists on the soft underbelly of the Sahara Desert, as Islamic militants and ethnic separatists chip away at the fragile political geography of five states on the southern fringe of the Sahara desert. The West African country of Mali, wracked by a […]
John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Regions of a vast landlocked country, remote but strategic, has fallen under the control of Al Qaida terrorists and fundamentalist forces. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled a regime which persecutes women, imposes stringent Sharia law, and desecrates and destroys ancient towns and even mosques. The outside world […]
Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States has determined that Libyan weapons have reached Al Qaida in Mali. Officials said thousands of missiles and rockets were taken from the arsenal of then-Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi and brought to Al Qaida strongholds in Mali. The officials said the anti-tank and surface-to-air missiles have bolstered Al […]