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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Missile-defense exercise held in Middle East |
| 2008-07-09 |
| NORFOLK, Va. - In an unprecedented move, the Navy recently tested the communications network supporting its Aegis ballistic missile defense system across the Middle East. The test comes as top military commanders are expressing a hardened stance against Iran's intransigence. The upgraded Aegis systems aboard Navy destroyers and cruisers can track ballistic missiles and intercept them with ship-launched SM-3 missiles. Tensions have flared recently over Iran's intent to attain nuclear arms and its persistent threats to destroy Israel, which has indicated it could defend itself with a pre-emptive strike. The intensified sparring -- with the consequences of an additional Middle East war in mind -- has prompted U.S. military commanders to speak up. On July 2, Vice Adm. Kevin Cosgriff, the 5th Fleet commander based in Bahrain, told a conference of naval leaders in the Persian Gulf that maritime security in the area remains an "essential condition" to global stability. While not speaking specifically about the BMD exercise, he said naval operations in the area reflect the high stakes involved. "Conducting these operations in and around the Arabian Gulf sends a signal of security within the region that is commensurate with the area's global importance," he said. The BMD exercise, which took place from June 28 through July 2, involved the destroyer Benfold operating in the Persian Gulf and the destroyer Russell operating in the eastern Mediterranean. |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #4 our operations in the area are vunerable....alot depends on accuracy, suprise and can iran sustain a bombardment? i would say no...with the surviving forces (and this would be the majority) the iraian guards,navy and airforce (if you can call it one) will take a pounding...a much more target rich environment than iraq..bloodier on us but we've needed to do this for 30 years and sadly we are just about out of time...to reduce the cost to us we should premptively use nukes..screw what the world thinks they can give a rats ass about us...and then leave the place alone..let'em rebuild with the shithole UN |
| Posted by: dan 2008-07-09 22:14 |
| #3 I think the likelyest scenario is Iraqi retaliation for infiltrating weapons etc. or Iranian action against one of the Gulf states, triggering a US response. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2008-07-09 01:23 |
| #2 Let's not underestimate field missile potential. Israel and the US deployments in the UAE and Iraq are vulnerable. Fortunately the Ayatollahs have burnt all proportionate retaliation bridges. Anything goes. Then again, I supported predictions of a crippling US attack on Iran, last Winter. That rings hollow. |
| Posted by: McZoid 2008-07-09 00:44 |
| #1 Compare wid TOPIX > WAR IN NOVEMBER? Again, 2008-2012 = LOW PROFILE PREFERRED FOR NUCLEARIZING IRAN. Risk will mainly be any Iranian failure to keep Iran-Controlled/suppor Militant-Terr Groups in line and NOT doing anything stupid to justify a US andor Israeli attack agz Iran + its Nucfacs. IOW, ITS UP TO ISRAEL TO DECIDE vv INTEL IFF IRAN CAN BE TRUSTED AS FOR "NUCLEAR ENERGY" ONLY, OR IN ALTERN IFF CURRENT AND FUTURE MISSLE DEFENSE TECHS WARRANTS NOT PREEMPTIVELY ATTACKING IRAN AT ALL. As a reminder, NET > NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION espec ala THIRD WORLD-DEV NATIONS = Besides BMD-GMD,also strongly induces the latter Nations to adopt PREEMPTIVE MILPOL + WARFIGHTING STRATEGIES AND METHODISMS. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2008-07-09 00:27 |