2016 was then: World stage set for more dramatic tension

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler NEW YORK — It’s once again time to consult the crystal snow globe and peer ahead into what events 2017 may bring. After a surprising, tumultuous and truly roller-coaster year just past, we certainly can hope for a more stable period. But should we? Despite the unprecedented electoral […]

U.S. increases combat drone strikes on ISIL in Afghanistan

U.S. increases combat drone strikes on ISIL in Afghanistan

by WorldTribune Staff, November 20, 2016 U.S. drone strikes have increased in Afghan provinces where Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) has seized territory, the U.S. military commander in Afghanistan said. Army Gen. John Nicholson said there are some 1,300 ISIL jihadists in Afghanistan who “receive money, guidance, and communications support” from ISIL leaders […]

Pentagon reports seven Afghan trainees have gone missing from U.S. bases

Pentagon reports seven Afghan trainees have gone missing from U.S. bases

by WorldTribune Staff, September 27, 2016 A group of Afghan nationals undergoing military training in the U.S. went missing this month, including three who went AWOL the weekend of an Afghan-born terrorist’s bombing spree in New York and New Jersey. “During the month of September, seven Afghan students were considered absent without leave (AWOL) during […]

Iranian official admits drug trafficking on the rise despite executions

Iranian official admits drug trafficking on the rise despite executions

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty A top Iranian judiciary official says the death penalty hasn’t deterred drug trafficking, which is in fact on the rise. “The truth is, the execution of drug smugglers has had no deterrent effect,” Mohammad Baqer Olfat, deputy head of judiciary for social affairs, was quoted as […]

Report calls Iran top Mideast threat to U.S. interests ‘by far’

Report calls Iran top Mideast threat to U.S. interests ‘by far’

by WorldTribune Staff, August 8, 2016 Iran “by far” poses the largest potential threat to U.S. bases, interests, and allies in the Middle East, according to the 2016 Index of U.S. Military Strength. A Heritage Foundation report said Iran is the greatest threat to U.S. interests in the region “by virtue of its ballistic missile […]

ISIL claims it has captured U.S. military equipment in Afghanistan

ISIL claims it has captured U.S. military equipment in Afghanistan

by WorldTribune Staff, August 7, 2016 A rocket launcher, grenades and numerous rifle rounds were among U.S. military equipment Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) claims to have confiscated in Afghanistan. ISIL circulated photos of the U.S. gear, which included a M72 single-shot rocket launcher and a spare barrel for an M240 machine gun, 40mm […]

ISIL attack on Shi’ite protest rally in Kabul kills at least 80

ISIL attack on Shi’ite protest rally in Kabul kills at least 80

by WorldTribune Staff, July 24, 2016 Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) on July 23 targeted a Shi’ite protest rally in Kabul, Afghanistan with twin bombings that killed at least 80 people and wounded more than 230. Thousands of Persian-speaking Hazara Shi’ites had been demonstrating against the route of a planned multi-million-dollar power line […]

ISIL flag found in room of teen who attacked passengers on German train

ISIL flag found in room of teen who attacked passengers on German train

by WorldTribune Staff, July 20, 2016 A 17-year-old Afghan refugee who attacked passengers on a train in Bavaria, Germany with an axe had a hand-painted Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) flag in his home, police said. Along with the flag, police found a letter the attacker appeared to have written to his father, […]

ISIL launches new attacks in eastern Afghanistan

ISIL launches new attacks in eastern Afghanistan

by WorldTribune Staff, June 27, 2016 Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) is staging a comeback in Afghanistan just months after Kabul said the terror group had been defeated. At least a dozen Afghan security forces and civilians were killed and another 18 wounded as ISIL jihadists attacked police checkpoints in the Kot area […]

Urgent agenda item for Shanghai group summit: ‘Armed extremists’ in Afghanistan

Urgent agenda item for Shanghai group summit: ‘Armed extremists’ in Afghanistan

Special to WorldTribune.com Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Russia says the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will discuss a “very tense situation” in Afghanistan when the grouping holds its summit in Uzbekistan this week. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on June 22 that an estimated 60,000 “armed extremists” were fighting in Afghanistan, including 10,000 under […]