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I have only ever played GW tabletop games but I want to get into Flames of war because I do enjoy a historical battle!
The only problem is im completely new to it, Ive looked at forums and website but I still can't wrap my head around some things so im hoping you guys can help me out.

First off what do I need to buy first and what is everything I need to start playing? Ive looked at the nations and all the rulebooks (so so many) and ive got no clue.

I really like the Arab-Israeli war tanks I think they are my favorite looking ones but they don't seem to be a normal army like soviets or Germans so can I even collect them? or are they some kind of campaign specific models.

I also love the Vietnam range and would really like to collect them but again they don't seem like normal armies they seem like side campaign one so can I still collect them been new?

In my opinion best way to start is but 'open fire' you get 2 small armies and the mini rule book best way to start to learn I think.

You almost have 5 seperate games, early war, mid war, late war, Vietnam, fate of a nation. And you get forces from the same era to fight - there are balance issues between mid war vs late war let alone early war vs Vietnam

As for army lists for fate of a nation there is a free booklet in the most recent wargames illustrated.

Vietnam has a book called 'tour of duty'

For the 2nd world war there are lots of books so excuse me if I don't go into them.

Hope it helps

Isreal is new and the range is not fully out right now.
has 3 companies, all are tank companies. Not much variety as it is new and something to "test the waters" for interest in further development. Could possibly be hard to find a copy of the rules as it sold very well.

I beleive their are stock issues with Vietnam (Helicopters specifically) lot of complex rules, but only one book and 2 opponents, USA and NVA.

World war 2 comes in 3 eras, early, mid, late. Think invasion of France, Desert war, Operation Overlord.

There are a lot of books for WWII, many come in pairs (Grey wolf (German) is meant to pair off with Red bear (russia) But you can just as easily fight Red bear vs Nuts forces (bastogne)

As long as it is all late war vs late war, you are good to go.

I would say buy open fire and give it a try.If you do not care for the ww2 setting.Then switch it up to Vietnam era.but with open fire you can atleast get a few games in to learn the rules for the game.Also rite now the talk is that fate of a nationand vietnam will be compatible.So i guess we finally get to see what American armor can do to Syrian Armor.

You should find a local group and see what they're playing, and if they don't play Fate of a Nation or Vietnam, see if they would like to try it.

Most people play late WWII, so if you just want to try the game regardless of nation, that's your best bet. If either force in Open Fire appeals to you, pick that up as well. Its an excellent value and the German models in particular are useable for a wide variety of armies.