UAE, Bahrain, Sudan join Saudi in curbing ties to Iran

UAE, Bahrain, Sudan join Saudi in curbing ties to Iran

Special to WorldTribune.com Bahrain and Sudan on Jan. 4 followed Saudi Arabia’s lead in cutting diplomatic ties with Iran. United Arab Emirates said it would also downgrade its ties to Teheran. The escalating tensions between Saudi and Iran came after Riyadh’s execution of a Shi’ite Muslim cleric. Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Teheran […]

UAE, Turkey, Lebanon stand to benefit from Iran’s economic turnaround after nuke deal

UAE, Turkey, Lebanon stand to benefit from Iran’s economic turnaround after nuke deal

Special to WorldTribune.com Business interests from UAE, Turkey and Lebanon could benefit greatly as Iran’s economy crawls out from under the heavy burden of international sanctions following the nuclear deal with Western powers. “Lebanon and the UAE would benefit from the economic rebound in Iran. Given Lebanon’s financial skills and regional ties, it could play […]

U.S. grants reprieve on aid to Egypt after lobbying from Saudis, Israel, Jordan, UAE

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, after withholding military aid for more than a year, has granted a reprieve to Egypt. Congress has passed a spending bill that revises U.S. civilian and military assistance to Egypt. Under the omnibus spending package for fiscal 2015, the House and Senate allowed the administration of President […]

Libyan jihadists complain Egypt’s F-16s backing Gen. Haftar campaign

Libyan jihadists complain Egypt’s F-16s backing Gen. Haftar campaign

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have been accused of launching air strikes on Islamist militias in Libya. Anti-government militias operating in Tripoli said they have come under attack from aircraft sent by Egypt and the UAE. They said the two Arab states, both of which operate the U.S.-origin F-16 […]

Moscow, Cairo sign $2 billion weapons deal, financed by the Saudis, UAE

Moscow, Cairo sign $2 billion weapons deal, financed by the Saudis, UAE

Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Egypt and Russia have concluded an agreement for a $2 billion weapons deal. Officials said Cairo and the Kremlin concluded three months of negotiations for the sale of Russian helicopters and air defense systems to Egypt. They said the talks focused on financial issues, including repayment terms. “All of the […]

Happy (post-shutdown) days are here again: Obama OKs missile sales

Happy (post-shutdown) days are here again: Obama OKs missile sales

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The United States, ending its government shutdown, has resumed arms sales to the Middle East. The administration of President Barack Obama has approved billions of dollars worth of weapons and munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Defense Department notified Congress that the two Gulf Cooperation Council […]

U.S. to sell record $10 billion in advanced weaponry to Israel, Saudi, UAE

U.S. to sell record $10 billion in advanced weaponry to Israel, Saudi, UAE

Special to WorldTribune.com WASHINGTON — The administration of President Barack Obama has approved the sale of at least $10 billion worth of weapons to the Middle East. Officials said the administration briefed Congress on the sale of fighter-jets, missiles, radars and other major military platforms to U.S. allies in the Middle East. They identified the […]

Boeing inks agreement to supply drones to Gulf states

Boeing inks agreement to supply drones to Gulf states

Special to WorldTribune.com ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has teamed with a U.S. defense major to introduce unmanned military platforms to the Persian Gulf states. The UAE’s Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments has signed an agreement with Boeing for the supply of unmanned aerial vehicles to the six Gulf Cooperation Council militaries. Under […]