Iranian Sputnik Could Be Trojan Horse for Tehran Ballistic Missile Program

[seemslikeadream]

Iranian 'Sputnik' Could Be Trojan Horse for Tehran's Ballistic Missile Program, Aviation Week & Space Technology Reports

Sunday November 28, 10:30 am ET

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Aviation Week & Space Technology reports in its November 29 issue that U. S. intelligence analysts are concerned about the planned launch from Iran, by early 2005, of an Iranian built satellite on an upgraded version of Tehran's largest ballistic missile, the Shahab-3.

The preparations for and launch of one or more Iranian satellite "is something that needs to be watched closely," a U. S. government missile analyst familiar with Iranian capabilities told AW&ST.

Such an "Iranian Sputnik" would elevate the stature of the Iran in the Middle East.

Tehran's satellite launch plans could also be a "Trojan Horse" to further advance ballistic missile or nuclear warhead related technologies, sources told the magazine. Some of the materials and micro-electronic technologies necessary for Iranian satellite design could also be important for the development of tiny high quality components needed to produce small nuclear weapons, AW&ST reports.

The U. S. intelligence community was taken by surprise in 1998 when a North Korean satellite launch attempt unexpectedly demonstrated a long range North Korean missile capability. U. S. intelligence officials said they do not want to be surprised again, this time by Iran

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[Ian David]

1. If it lands on a red state, it would be acceptable losses

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Iran more likely to target Israel

who would then retaliate with their nuclear missles, and we'd have the start of that dandy little war all the fundamentalist "Christians" want.

As for a red state being the target of the next terrorist attack-I wouldn't be surprised, seeing the sorry state of homeland security in regards to container shipping and cargoes up rivers like the Mississppi. Or some sort of targeting of Texas, since that is where the Chimp pretends to be from. Sad thing is, I'm living in a red state and have progressive/liberal friends in Texas.

[livinbella]

12. these nukes ain't coming to the US

Iran has a bone to pick.
Intrepid dissent.

[mulethree]

4. Choose a target then

First generation ICBM, what accuracy? Lets call it a second generation nuke warhead, what kill radius? so you pick a big target like say, a city where the warhead can do lots of damage even though it isn't targeted very precisely. A City.

So find a red city. Go to your red/blue map, find a red state, zoom in and look at the cities. Oops blue, blue, blue. Keep looking, you'll find one or two pink cities. Hmm they're kinda small though.

The best targets seem to be awefully blue. If you pick a nice dark blue city in a blue state - say Washington DC, or NYC, or Boston or San Fran, then you get lots of juicy fallout damage due to the population density of the surrounding areas.

[Fovea]

10. Your point is apt

and frankly, FedEx is a far better delivery system than ICBM.

[Conservativesux]

8. Texas would be an acceptable loss........:-)

[Wright Patman]

11. You know what?

I live in Texas. But I can see your point.

A nuke delivered to Collin County, Texas (northern suburbs of Dallas), would hit nothing but red.

And the really neat thing is that it is nothing but paved-over prairieland to begin with, so there would not be any noticeable loss of scenery. In fact, the craters might make for interesting tourist attractions.

One could combine one's vacation trip by first visiting Dealey Plaza where the original coup was plotted and carried out and then travel 30 miles to the north to witness the (literal) fallout the military-industrial coup generated 41 years later.

[Just Me]

3. Well,...we did ignite the new arms race of the 21st C.

Thank the neocon imperialists.

[bemildred]

5. I nominate this for today's "No Shit, Sherlock!" award.

Next thing it will dawn on these Rubes that the Iranians are just
as smart as we are and cannot be relied on to stay "backward" forever.

[HereSince1628]

6. Like throwing satellites wasn't a cover for US and USSR

This plays right into the old missile defense shield game.

We KNOW the administration wants to send money into that sector of the American economy (or should I say logistics chain?).

For them this is like oxygen on a glowing ember.

Ok, a couple more billion to make sure the destroyer based system is put into service in the Indian Ocean.

Too bad the boat building and outfitting will get outsourced, that sort of money could certainly help some of our less united states.

[Deja Q]

7. Hmm. Now many stories of Iran WMDs surfacing. So now what?

If it's legit, then * is going to have his puny hands full.

If it's a * ploy, I wouldn't be surprised either.

Either way, it's going to escalate.

[alexisfree]

9. Yeah Right? Next they will say Food and Medicine is WMD

[Ian David]

13. Red vs Blue targets

Iran must surely know they have little (if any) chance of winning a war against America.

And they are far, FAR more likely to use nukes against Israel than directly against America.

But if they did attack Israel, they would certainly expect retaliation in kind from America.

So what would they do?

An attack against Israel with a simultaneous "decapitory strike," hitting Washington during a special join session.

Ironically, I bet there will be a joint session to "save us from gay marriage."

That would almost certainly delay our retaliation, and possibly de-stabilize our government tremendously.

Then again, as we have learned, a good children's book can buy them an additional 22 minutes, too. War President? My Pet Goat!

If their goal was to affect a regime change in America, they would need to target a Republican-rich target. For example, a meeting of The WTO or World Bank. A whole bunch of ultra-rich American Republicans and their ultra-rich corporate masters from around the world. If this happened in a red state, I don't imagine there would be a huge level of outrage as like there was after 9-11, even with enormous casualties. They may even win the hearts and minds of many Americans while cleaning our own house for us.

An unfortunate complication would be that there are always large numbers of American patriots protesting at these events, and it would be a tragedy to lose them.

I know you wouldn't see ME enlisting in the army.

In fact, I would urge our leaders to NOT RETALIATE after we are attacked.

I am absolutely NOT saying they or anyone else should attack us. I also do not WANT them to attack us. I am merely exploring the possibilities of what might happen independent of anything any of us could possibly do, if Iran were to attack us due to the willful negligence of the Bush administration.

[daleo]

14. One of the main reasons for launching satellites

Is to show that you have effective ballistic missile technology. It has been that way since the 1950's. Nothing new here.

[truth2power]

15. More power to them.

If I were in charge in Iran I would be working overtime to produce some sort of weapons system that would deter the US. The Tiny Chimp brought this on himself.

He sent the clear message: "If you have no deterrant, we'll turn your cities to rubble.