Carter says ‘navigational error’ caused sailors to enter Iranian waters

Carter says ‘navigational error’ caused sailors to enter Iranian waters

Special to WorldTribune.com The 10 sailors detained by Iran were on two U.S. vessels that entered Iranian waters due to a “navigational error,” Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Jan. 14. “They did not report this navigational error at the time. It may be that they were trying to sort it out at the time […]

U.S. military cuts budget, pulls one carrier group from Middle East

U.S. military cuts budget, pulls one carrier group from Middle East

Special to WorldTribune.com Geostrategy-Direct.com ABU DHABI — In late 2012, the U.S. Navy reduced its presence in the Gulf. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said the Navy would operate one rather than two aircraft carrier groups in the region over the next few months. Panetta, the first U.S. defense secretary to visit Kuwait in nearly […]

How to solve the piracy scourge? Lethal force seems to work best

How to solve the piracy scourge? Lethal force seems to work best

John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — There’s been a significant drop in ship seizures and hijackings by Somali pirates in the troubled waters off East Africa. Despite last year’s spike in piracy with 28 vessels captured in the first half of 2011, there were only three ships seized in the second half of the year […]

Third U.S. aircraft carrier group set for March deployment to Gulf

Third U.S. aircraft carrier group set for March deployment to Gulf

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has been preparing to intensify operations in the Gulf amid Iran’s threats to block the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the Navy plans to deploy another aircraft carrier group in the region in March. “The group is now conducting training,” an official said. The planned carrier group […]

U.S. firm says its jet boat could keep Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz

U.S. firm says its jet boat could keep Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — A U.S. company has presented a maritime solution to Iran’s threat to the Gulf. Juliet Marine Systems, based in Portsmouth, N.H., has been briefing major defense contractors and governments on its new fast attack craft. Juliet asserted that the platform, called Ghost, was designed to protect the Iranian-dominated Strait of […]

While U.S. focuses on politics, Iran plays geopolitical chess

While U.S. focuses on politics, Iran plays geopolitical chess

John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Amidst the swirl of the presidential primary season in the United States and thus the blurring of the international news focus, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been on a political campaign swing of his own throughout Latin America. But while the Islamic Republic relentlessly pursues the nuclear genie, and […]

U.S. Army report recommends maintaining Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain

U.S. Army report recommends maintaining Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain

Special to WorldTribune.com from Geostrategy-Direct.com WASHINGTON — The United States is concerned over the future of its military presence in Bahrain, a report said. The U.S. Army has determined that the presence of the American naval presence could be endangered by Shi’ite unrest in Bahrain. A report by the army war college’s Strategic Studies Institute […]