Current Events in Mideast-Africa

Iran flexes Air Force muscle on National Army Day, 18 April http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fA5J3qEn7-c

The gas flows from the sea and the IAF is on alert (Flight Global, Ariel View blog) Definitely scenario fodder there ...

For those of you contemplating Persian Gulf scenarios, this might be helpful. Pictorial: Units of the U.S. Navys Naval Forces Central Command (DefenseNews, Intercepts blog)

Obama: Iran a year away from nuclear weapon (Army Times)

From US Institute of Peace: Gulf I: Iran's Power in the Air Gulf II: Timeline of U.S.-Iran Encounters Gulf III: Iran's Power in the Sea Lanes Iran's military doctrine

The Syria Question (Air Force Magazine, March 2013)

Iran Is Still Botching the Bomb (Foreign Affairs)

How the Shah of Iran chose the F-14 Tomcat over the F-15 Eagle (The Aviationist blog)

Triumphant Syrian Rebels Seize Fighter Jets (DefenseNews)

Is This the Secret U.S. Drone Base in Saudi Arabia? (Wired, Danger Room blog)

I say "no", it's only a very bad ejecuted mock-up, absurd intake, absurd wings and wings tickness, absurd canopy .... http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshow/18305497.cms

Syria 'confirms' Israeli air strike near Lebanon border (BBC News)

Showdown With Iran? Maybe Not In 2013 (AOL Defense) The year we reckon with Iran (Fareed Zakaria)

Getting to Yes With Iran: The Challenges of Coercive Diplomacy (Foreign Affairs, January/February 2013)

Secret State Department cable: Chemical weapons used in Syria (Foreign Policy, The Cable blog)

Caracals and Tigers from Mistral (Escorted by Chevalier Paul)employed in the failed operation of hostage rescue: From Mer et Marine (in French, now also English version): http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-mistral-au-coeur-de-la-tentative-de-liberation-de-denis-allex-en-somalie

France Carries Out Airstrikes In Mali France Loses Gazelle, Soldier in Air Raid (from Aviation Week, Ares blog)

Patriots enroute to the Turkish-Syria border (DefenseNews' Intercepts blog) With pics.

The Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula (pdf, Center for Strategic and International Studies)

New Book Suggests America Accommodate China (DefenseNews' Intercepts blog)