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More on the Missile Defense for Europe
By Charlie
AP:
TEL AVIV, Israel -Iran test-fired a long-range missile, Israeli defense officials said Wednesday, as President Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed concern over Iran's nuclear program in Washington.The defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters, said the missile was a Shihab-3 with a range of 900 miles, the same type of missile that has been test-fired several times in the past.
Olmert mentioned Iranian missiles of that range at a news conference in Washington after meeting with Bush, noting that it would give Iran the ability to strike any point in Europe as well as
Israel. He said it is not to late to stop the Iranian program.
Possible range of Iran's current strategic missile forces:
Current NATO countries:
Iran’s missiles are being taken as an emerging threat by serious nations across the globe. NATO countries are wise to the threat, but I fear for Europe. Centers of regional power like Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, and other areas outside of US defensive range remain vulnerable to the Iranians. As long as this regime remains in place, they will continue to research and improve their missile technology.
My take is that it should be an American responsibility to protect our forward deployed troops protected from missile threats. This extends to our allies that are aiding us in accomplishing our mission abroad. This (should) stop, however, with it becoming an American responsibility to shield Europe (or whoever else in the world) from all missile threats. As long as the EU thinks they can “negotiate” with Iranians who overtly mock the diplomatic proceedings- yet laughably participate to draw out the timeline enabling them to achieve their nuclear goals – the Europeans should be comfortable with the fact that they are increasingly coming into the range of the very weapons they are at the table to talk about. If the EU puts their infinite faith in the diplomatic process, let them back that up by keeping their soft underbellies vulnerable.
That being said, huzzah for theatre missile defense! May it be deployed successfully everywhere.
***Update***
How silly of me to not consider perpetual attention-grubbing Russia! John mentioned it below, but I think the obvious reason for the Missile Defense in Europe is to counter Iran, and to a lesser extent, Syria. However, Russia, like the drunk girl at the party who thinks that everyone is talking to her, wants to be popular so bad.
So Sayeth Pravda:
Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said in April of the current year that Russia had a right to take all necessary measures to safeguard Russia’s national security in the event Russia sees a threat near its borders. Furthermore, if the USA deploys its anti-missile base in Poland or even in Great Britain, it endangers Russia’s Plesetsk space port.
Because its all about you, right? More below.
USA's intentions are mirrored in the latest report from NATO. The report particularly says that Europe may suffer from long-range missiles, launched from the East. US defense specialists started working on the extensive report in 2002, but it was finished only several days ago.The biggest part of the research is obviously being kept secret for it carries the complete information about all types of ballistic missiles in European countries. NATO’s report has brought some optimism to those states fearing for their security. NATO member countries will have to think if they are going to participate in the construction of the new air defense system. Germany and France have already expressed their protests against the creation of the air shield above Europe.
Russian military expert, the Vice President of the Academy for Geopolitical Problems, Colonel-General Leonid Ivashov, said in an interview with Pravda.Ru that the Russian administration should treat the above-mentioned information seriously. The new defense structure will let the USA down missiles launched from Russia’s Plesetsk space center. Ivashov believes that NATO is working on the technical part of its plan aimed against Russia.
“If these plans of the Pentagon come true, the USA will considerably raise the efficiency of its air defense structure. The missiles launched from the European part of Russia will be intercepted on the accelerating part of their trajectory,” the specialist said.
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Comments
I think if I were Russia I wouldn’t worry about the threat to a space rocket from a BMD mistaking such for an incoming first strike and taking it down. I would be more worried about the thousand or so counter strike warheads inbound from such mistake of intentions that space rocket would get.
I think this is just part of the conspiracy that has been growing in Russian circles that we found H-3 on the moon that will be the fusion power enabler. The conspiracy continues that Bush knows this and with his NASA/Moon base plans to harvest this resource and by way of BMD deny the rest of the world access to such resources except through US approval. I don’t know the feasibility of such even if true especially considering in the US presidents only can serve 8yrs max and often only 4yrs if to controversial. But if the H-3 stories are true I would hope our government does do what they can to corner as much of that resource market as possible.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-39,GGLG:en&q=helium+3
some H-3 links
The Shahab-3 is a new missile with greater range than the range you show for the Shahab-2. The Shahab-3 ranges most of western Europe.
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Gee, I wonder what that joint project between US and Britain (formerly Great Britain) which purported to be modeling a single warhead for placement atop missiles could be all about?
I hear France has worked up a single warheader for placement in their subs, too.
heh.