Analyst: Impossible for Saudis to destroy U.S. shale industry

Analyst: Impossible for Saudis to destroy U.S. shale industry

Special to WorldTribune.com Despite its best efforts, it is impossible for Saudi Arabia to destroy the “resilient” U.S. shale industry, an analyst said. Because of its mid-cost nature, compared to the high cost of conventional drilling, shale will rebound quickly, according to Daniel Yergin, founder of IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, who said groups are […]

Libya’s recognized parliament rejects UN-backed unity government

Libya’s recognized parliament rejects UN-backed unity government

Special to WorldTribune.com The internationally recognized parliament in Libya has voted against a UN-backed unity government. The parliament in Tobruk, also known as the House of Representatives, rejected the deal in a vote on Jan. 25. “We voted against endorsing the government and ask… to be presented with another government,” parliamentarian Ali al-Gaydi said. The […]

Kerry appears ill at ease in Riyadh where he sought to assure Gulf allies

Kerry appears ill at ease in Riyadh where he sought to assure Gulf allies

Special to WorldTribune.com In a visit intended to reassure America’s ally Saudi Arabia over Iran’s continued “interference” in the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry instead appeared uneasy and defensive, reports said. Kerry met in Riyadh on Jan. 23 with Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers. “Overall […]

Khamenei celebrates capture of U.S. sailors as ‘God’s deed’, welcomes closer ties with China

Khamenei celebrates capture of U.S. sailors as ‘God’s deed’, welcomes closer ties with China

Special to WorldTribune.com Iran seeks closer ties to China as it “never trusted the West,” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Jan. 23. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Teheran on Jan. 23, Iran’s supreme leader said the United States was “not honest” in the fight against terrorism in the Middle East. “Iranians never trusted […]

Malaysia arrests 7 ISIL-linked jihadists who were planning attacks

Malaysia arrests 7 ISIL-linked jihadists who were planning attacks

Special to WorldTribune.com Malaysian police have arrested seven members of a terror cell linked to Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). “All the suspects are members of the same (terror) cell, which is responsible for planning to launch terror attacks in strategic locations across Malaysia,” national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Jan. […]

U.S. admits losing propaganda war to ISIL ‘fanboys’

U.S. admits losing propaganda war to ISIL ‘fanboys’

Special to WorldTribune.com The United States says it “ought to do better” to fight Islamic State of Iraq and Levant’s (ISIL’s) Internet propaganda machine. U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, speaking at Ecole Militaire military college in Paris on Jan. 21, said the terror group uses the Internet “to give encouragement or even instruction to people […]

China’s Xi calls for Palestinian state, announces aid for region

China’s Xi calls for Palestinian state, announces aid for region

Special to WorldTribune.com Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing supports the creation of a Palestinian state. Xi made the pledge of support on Jan. 21 during a visit to Cairo, according to Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper. The Chinese president said he supported creation of a Palestinian State with eastern Jerusalem as its capital, based on the […]

Reports: Obama paid $1.7 billion ‘ransom’ to Iran for hostages’ release

Reports: Obama paid $1.7 billion ‘ransom’ to Iran for hostages’ release

Special to WorldTribune.com The Obama administration has paid a “ransom” of $1.7 billion in U.S. taxpayers’ funds to Iran for the release of American hostages, critics and Iran officials said. The administration insists the payment was a decades-old legal settlement with Teheran and was not tied to the recent release of five American hostages, according […]

Reports: U.S. forces take control of Syrian air base

Reports: U.S. forces take control of Syrian air base

Special to WorldTribune.com U.S. special forces have taken control of an air base in northeastern Syria, according to reports. The facility, near the city of Rmeilan in Hasakah province, is the first U.S.-controlled air base in Syria. A spokesperson for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said the base was handed over to the U.S. to […]

Xi signs Egypt deals as China looks to boost Mideast clout

Xi signs Egypt deals as China looks to boost Mideast clout

Special to WorldTribune.com Chinese President Xi Jinping on Jan. 21 pledged billions of dollars in aid to Egypt as Beijing moved to boost its influence in the Middle East. “China supports Egypt’s efforts to maintain stability, develop the economy and improve livelihoods, and … play an even greater role in international and regional affairs,” Xi […]