U.S. to reduce presence in Gulf from two carrier groups to one
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy, amid major budget cuts, has decided to limit its presence to one aircraft carrier strike group in the Gulf. Officials said the Navy would (more…)
Bahrain intelligence reports Shi’ite insurgents now targeting royals
ABU DHABI — Bahrain has determined that Iranian-backed Shi’ite insurgents were targeting the nation’s royal family. Officials said Bahrain’s security services have assessed that the Shi’ite revolt was beginning (more…)
Saudi prince given ‘carte blanche’ to make National Guard top force
ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has been quietly reorganizing what could become the most powerful military force in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. Arab diplomats said Saudi King Abdullah (more…)
Satellite photos reveal Saudi base with Chinese-origin ballistic missiles
LONDON — Saudi Arabia is said to have developed a regional ballistic missile threat. Western analysts asserted that Saudi Arabia has been building an arsenal of intermediate-range ballistic missiles. (more…)
Saudi security forces keep pressure on Iran-backed Shi’ite insurgents
ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has maintained its crackdown on the Shi’ite insurgency believed supported by Iran. Officials said Saudi security forces have tracked and arrested leading suspects of (more…)
Saudi requests 30 U.S. patrol boats to offset Iranian threat
WASHINGTON — Saudi Arabia has requested dozens of naval vessels from the United States. The administration of President Barack Obama has approved a Saudi request of 30 patrol boats (more…)
Shi’ites in Bahrain move from protests to paramilitary ops
ABU DHABI — The Iranian-backed Shi’ite opposition campaign was said to have turned into a paramilitary organization. A leading Western analyst asserted that the Shi’ite opposition has converted civilian (more…)
U.S. Navy sends more ships to Gulf for shallow water operations
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has reported the arrival of three additional vessels in the Gulf. The Navy said three coastal patrol boats arrived at Fifth Fleet headquarters in (more…)
Bahrain enforcing code of conduct for police confronting Shi’ite revolt
ABU DHABI — Bahrain has pledged to implement a code of conduct for police amid the Shi’ite revolt. Officials said the Interior Ministry has begun implementing a code of (more…)