The Drums of War in the Middle East - No:1

1. The Daily Telegraph in London is reporting that the U.S. Airforce is working with military leaders from Persian Gulf States to train and prepare Arab air forces for a possible war with Iran.
Pentagon officials have helped set-up a warfare center in the United Arab Emirates where Gulf Nations are training their fighter pilots and America has large-scale bases. The center is modeled on the USAF warfare center at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

2. Israel Radio reported that on Monday Iran threatened to attack some 170 American targets in the Middle East and around the world if it's attacked by Israel or the U.S.

3. According to Reuters, Israel confirmed on Tuesday that its airforce carried out a strike inside Syrian territory on Sept 6/07. However Israeli military censors continue to censor all other details.
Diplomats in Damascus say that at least 4 Israeli warplanes crossed deep into Syria during last month's operation.
Syria and Israel are formally at war. Peace talks collapsed in 2000 over the scope of an Israeli pullout from the Golan Heights.

4. The Times of London reported Tuesday that Russia has sent technicians to upgrade Syria's air defense system after Israeli electronic warfare systems allowed Israeli warplanes to attack a target in Syria last month.

5. According to foreign media reports, the Israeli airstrike apparently targeted a North Korea-built nuclear facility in northeastern Syria. Syria and North Korea have both vehemently denied any nuclear co-operation.