Current Events in Mideast-Africa

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

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

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

CRS report, 6 December 2012 Irans Ballistic Missile and Space Launch Programs (pdf)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20808517 (rmks: Sky News gives this a lot greater prominence. I believe this is a partial make-up for the UK lowering its order)

Appears to be a good source for video and imagery: Brown Moses blog

Israel, India Advance Co-Development of Ship-Defense System (Defense Aerospace)

Several of the wire services are carrying a report that Turkey may be in the process of requesting NATO long-range PATRIOT surface-to-air missile batteries to be deployed in its border areas to enforce Turkish air sovereignty, guarantee the refugee camps, and possibly to create a undeclared no-fly-zone in Syrian airspace. It would be interesting to see if it was a European deployment of PATRIOT, which I think would be a first; or if the US would deploy units. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/08/syria-crisis-turkey-border-idUSL5E8M8BWP20121108

Iran displays captured ScanEagle UAV (Jane's)

Iran Shipping Signals Conceal Syria Ship Movements (Aviation Week)

Magic Wand missile makes first flight (Jane's) aka David's Sling

Pakistani Ballistic Missile Test Failed (DefenseNews)

Israeli Defense Chief Sounds Ready to Hit Iran, Thanks in Part to Iron Dome (Wired's Danger Room blog)

Launch of modernized Project 877EKM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o19rmiU-CuI Test launch of 3M14 (SS-N-27 Sizzler) cruise missile http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFyAJhJfjQU&feature=share

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

Gunning for Damascus (Foreign Policy)

Improved and enlarged San Giorgio (in French, from Mer et Marine): http://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/le-nouveau-batiment-de-projection-algerien

From RIA Novosti [excerpt]

The Aviationist

From Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Iran and the Gulf Military Balance (pdf)