Syrian army reportedly set to advance into Raqqa province

Syrian army reportedly set to advance into Raqqa province

Special to WorldTribune.com Syrian forces are set to move into Raqqa province, held by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL), to pre-empt the U.S.-led coalition sending in ground troops to fight the jihadists, reports say. U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Feb. 12 he expected Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to […]

In blow to allies, Kerry walks back Gen. Dunford’s Libya statement

In blow to allies, Kerry walks back Gen. Dunford’s Libya statement

Special to WorldTribune.com by Dr. Jack Caravelli, Geostrategy-Direct In another example of the Obama administration’s unwillingness to delegate authority and its inability to form a cohesive policy on fighting ISIL, Secretary of State John Kerry has publicly contradicted the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. Kerry has laid out U.S. strategy […]

War of words erupts between Russia, U.S. over air strikes in Aleppo, Syria

War of words erupts between Russia, U.S. over air strikes in Aleppo, Syria

Special to WorldTribune.com The U.S. and Russia have traded accusations over recent airstrikes in Aleppo, Syria. After the U.S. said Russian warplanes destroyed two hospitals in the besieged city, Moscow responded by claiming U.S. warplanes bombed Aleppo on Feb. 10, an accusation the Pentagon said was a total “fabrication.” “Just before 2 p.m. Moscow time […]

Female suicide bombers kill 58 in Nigerian camp

Female suicide bombers kill 58 in Nigerian camp

Special to WorldTribune.com At least 58 people were killed when a pair of Boko Haram female suicide bombers disguised as refugees blew themselves up at a camp in northeastern Nigeria. Relief officials in Nigeria’s Borno state said dozens of others were spared when a third bomber refused to detonate her explosives when she discovered that […]

North Korea triggers a U.S. missile defense showdown among major powers

North Korea triggers a U.S. missile defense showdown among major powers

Special to WorldTribune.com By Donald Kirk, EastAsiaIntel.com North Korean rocket launches and nuclear tests risk getting boring. The pattern is familiar: expressions of outrage, loud condemnation ― then nothing. Has the latest one-two punch of nuclear test and rocket launch changed a thing? The easy answer is not really ― but think again. The lines […]

The western pillars that have supported Israel are crumbling

The western pillars that have supported Israel are crumbling

Special to WorldTribune.com By Norman Bailey The U.S. and Europe — the traditional pillars of Israeli foreign diplomatic and economic relations — are crumbling. Since Israel’s independence, its most important economic and financial partners have been in Europe and the U.S. In the past few years, however, this situation has changed dramatically. On the plus […]

Morocco is in ‘complete solidarity’ with Saudi over Gulf region threats

Morocco is in ‘complete solidarity’ with Saudi over Gulf region threats

Special to WorldTribune.com Morocco on Feb. 10 signaled it stands with Saudi Arabia against threats in the Gulf region and backs the Saudi-led effort to “defend the legitmacy” of Yemen. “We are in complete solidarity with Saudi confronting any interference in its internal affairs,” Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said during a joint press conference […]

Two members of Jihadi John’s ‘Beatles’ beheaders cell identified

Two members of Jihadi John’s ‘Beatles’ beheaders cell identified

Special to WorldTribune.com Two terrorists have been identified as members of infamous executioner Jihadi John’s “Beatles” cell that beheaded several Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) hostages. Alexe Kotey, 32, and Aine Davis, 31, both of London, became known as “The Beatles” by their hostages because of their British accents, according to an investigation […]

Russian air power, Iran-backed militias help Syrian forces advance toward Turkish border

Russian air power, Iran-backed militias help Syrian forces advance toward Turkish border

Special to WorldTribune.com Syrian forces, in a major offensive supported by Russian air power and Iran-backed militias, advanced toward the Turkish border on Feb. 8. The Syrian advance and relentless Russian air strikes in recent days have led to one of the biggest shifts in momentum of the five-year war. The offensive by President Bashar […]

Turkey closes border to thousands of Syrians fleeing Russia-backed offensive in Aleppo

Turkey closes border to thousands of Syrians fleeing Russia-backed offensive in Aleppo

Special to WorldTribune.com Some 35,000 Syrians are stranded at the Turkish border after fleeing a Russian-backed Assad regime offensive in Aleppo. Turkish humanitarian groups warned of a desperate situation in the making as they set up camps and sent in truckloads of aid on Feb. 8 for people, many of them women and children, amassed […]