Israeli Arrow 2 Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile (ABM)

Israeli Arrow 2 Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile (ABM) of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

An Arrow 2 Anti Tactical Ballistic Missile (ABM) battery has 4 to 8 missile launcher with 6 Arrow missile launch tubes each .

Russia Delivers S-300 Long Range Air Defense System To Syria

The Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad has clamied that Russia has started the deliveries of the S-300 advanced surface-air-missile (SAM) batteries to Syria. Assad's interview was broadcasted by the al-Manar channel on Thursday.

Russia previously planned to four S-300  long-range air defence system to Syria under a deal worth $800 millions in 2010. The S-300  air defence system is designed destroy incoming fighter jets, cruise missiles and UAVs with high-precision from distance of over 100 kms.

Russia has already delivere Yakhont Supersonic Stealthy Anti-ship Cruise Missiles to Syria

Religious Composition Of The Middle East

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

It’s Ever So Simple: A Tribal Map Of The Middle East -- Karl reMarks

The Middle East. The land of minarets and veils and other inaccurate clichés. Where every male’s earliest memory is being assaulted by a stranger who cut off a piece of his genitals, and they wonder why there is so much aggression. The Middle East remains a mysterious place that defies Western understanding because of its complexity and the stubborn refusal of so many to accept broad generalisations about it.

This unhelpful pedantry has fortunately been challenged by several brave Western observers who carried out extensive research in the area, mainly by talking to taxi drivers in from Cairo to Tehran and, whenever that proved unsatisfactory, they made up conversations with taxi drivers. While this evidence is not ‘real’ in the conventional sense, it does however prove their theories.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is one of the best maps that I have seen on what is the religious makeup of the Middle East. As to the author's description of each religious group .... prepare for a few laughs.

Saudi Twaiq Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP)

Saudi produced "Twaiq" Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) being displayed at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2013 (IDEX 2013) in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Iranian Kilo Class Diesel Electric Submarines Ready For Action

Iranian Kilo class diesel-electric submarines (SSK) during 6 day naval exercise of the  Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) around the Strait of Hormuz.

This Iranian naval exercise is being conducted in large area extending to the Sea of Oman and the north of the Indian Ocean.

Israeli Iron Dome / David's Sling Anti-Rocket Air Defence System in Action

Israel has successfully used its Iron Dome / David's Sling anti-missile air defence system to intercept 305 rockets out of 980 fired at Israel by the Palestinian militants the Gaza Strip.

Iron Dome counter-rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) defense system is designed to determines if the rocket fired at Israel will land in protected populated areas. After such estimation the rockets which are headed towords unpopulated areas are ignored. 

Iranian Quad TiltRotor (QTR) Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV

Iranian Quad TiltRotor (QTR) Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Iran plans to unveil this new Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV on 31st January at the 0-Day Dawn celebrations to mark the 34th anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. This 53 kg VTOL UAV will have endurance of 3 hours and it can fly at an altitude of 16,000 feet.

Israeli Merkava Main Battle Tank (MBT) in Golan Heights Near Syria

Israeli Merkava Main Battle Tank (MBT) taking firing positions in the Isleali controlled part of the Golan Heights overlooking the Syrian village of Bariqa.

Iraq To Buy 30 Mi-28NE Attack Helicopters and Pantsir-S1 Air Defense System

Russia and Iraq have signed a set of contracts that will see Russian fighter jets, helicopters and other military hardware exported to the transitioning country as part of a tighter military cooperation plan. The contracts are being finalized as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is on a visit to Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev before later discussions with President Vladimir Putin. 

Iraq is buying 30 Russian MI-28 attack helicopters, worth $2 billion, along with 42 Pantsir short-to-medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon systems, worth $2.3 billion. The country also reportedly intends to purchase Russian MiG fighter jets as well as armored vehicles. These are the first significant military deals between the two countries since 2008.

 Between 2008 and 2011, Russian military exports to Iraq amounted to just $246 million. The number one market for Russian military hardware is traditionally India, followed by Venezuela and Vietnam, according to forecasts for the period ending in 2015. Russia’s cooperation with Iraq previously included joint development of oil fields, including West Qurna, one of Iraq’s largest, but that contract was broken off on the eve of the NATO invasion of the country in 2003.

Compact Syrian Missiles Boat Fires C-802 Anti-Ship Missile

An unbelievably compact Syrian Missiles Boat Fires C-802 Anti-Ship Missile

Panavia Tornado Fighter Jet of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) @ Anatolian Eagle 2012

Panavia Tornado Fighter Jet of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) during the Anatolian Eagle 2012.

Free Syrian Army / Syrian Rebel Fighters in Action

Members of the Free Syrian Army / Syrian Rebel  fighters during a fire fight with the Syrian army which supports the President Bashar Assad.

The Limits Of U.S. Might In Middle East

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta comments during a joint press conference with Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto at the Pentagon, Aug. 3, 2012. The two defense leaders met to discuss issues of mutual concern. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Panetta's Message Of Reassurance Also Shows Limits Of U.S. Might In Middle East -- CNN

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's recent travels to Tunisia, Egypt, Israel and Jordan underscored the practical limits of U.S. military power in the region at a time when the threats from Iran's nuclear ambitions and Syria's disintegrating regime could rapidly, and with little predictability, destabilize the always fragile Middle East.

Everywhere he went, Panetta was questioned about U.S. intentions and policies toward Iran and Syria, and he basically offered an answer that, because of those limits, is interestingly the same for both.

Read more ....

My Comment: So much for American strength and leadership .... our policy is to now publicly state that we will defend our allies, and to press the international community to maintain a unified approach. But considering how draining the Middle East has been to the U.S. for the past 10 years .... coupled with a financial and debt crisis that continues to get worse back home .... I guess U.S. options are now limited to just words and public statments.

Omani And British Armies Take Part in Exercise Wessex Thunder

The Royal Army of Oman's Western Frontier Regiment training with 2nd Battalion ‘The Parachute Regiment’