• Missile Defense

    Missile Defense Watch: THAAD Successfully Intercepts Live Target

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    A missile is launched as part of the THAAD weapon system in an undated file photo. The U.S. military said it successfully tested on Wednesday a missile-shield component built by Lockheed Martin Corp. to shoot down a ballistic missile in the last minute or so of its flight.

    Yahoo News: Lockheed Martin’s THAAD Weapon System Successfully Intercepts Live Target

    First Integrated Weapon System Intercept of a Live Target

    Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMTNews) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) today successfully conducted a seeker characterization test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM, today. The THAAD Weapon System successfully met all test objectives for the flight test. The system exceeded its objectives on the test by intercepting the Hera unitary target.

    This is the third successful THAAD developmental flight test conducted since flight testing resumed for the program in November 2005. A successful controlled flight test was conducted last year, followed by a successful integrated test of the entire THAAD system in May of 2006. Two more test flights are scheduled to occur at WSMR before THAAD testing moves to Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii.

    THAAD is designed to defend U.S. troops, allied forces, population centers and critical infrastructure against short- to intermediate range ballistic missiles. THAAD comprises a fire control and communications system, interceptors, launchers and a radar. The THAAD interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets, and is the only weapon system that engages threat ballistic missiles at both endo- and exo-atmospheric altitudes.

    Missile Threat of the Claremont Institute has Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

    And Read it All……

    The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a mobile, land-based weapons program designed to destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phases, just seconds before they explode over U.S. cities and military assets. One of the last lines of defense against weapons of mass destruction, THAAD will play a critical role in the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System.

    Upon completion, THAAD will be able to intercept incoming missiles both inside and just outside of the Earth’s atmosphere at a range of 200 kilometers. At such an altitude, it will be difficult for enemy missiles to launch decoys and countermeasures to fool the THAAD interceptor. In addition, THAAD will ensure the safe diffusion of any nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, thus minimizing the risk of missile debris raining down on civilian or military populations.

    The Army intends to build between 80 to 99 launchers, 18 ground based radars, and 1,422 interceptor missiles. Initial deployment is scheduled for 2008.

    Great news about the successful test. The United States and its allies (including Israel and Japan) cannot deploy these defensive missiles fast enough.

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    Stay tuned……

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  • India Nuclear Watch

    Iran Nuclear Watch: P-5-Plus-1 Ministers Send Iran Back to United Nations Security Council Over Nuclear Flap

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    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, waves to the participants, as he arrives for a meeting of foreign ministers of Iraq’s neighbours, plus Egypt and Bahrain as Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, left, accompanied him, in Tehran, on Saturday July 8, 2006.

    AP: Nations sending Iran to Security Council

    World powers agreed Wednesday to send Iran back to the United Nations Security Council for possible punishment, saying the clerical regime has given no sign it means to negotiate seriously over its disputed nuclear program.

    The United States and other permanent members of the powerful U.N. body said Iran has had long enough to say whether it will meet the world’s terms to open bargaining that would give Tehran economic and energy incentives in exchange for giving up suspicious activities.

    “The Iranians have given no indication at all that they are ready to engage seriously on the substance of our proposals,” French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on behalf the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China, the five permanent Security Council members, plus Germany and the European Union.

    And did the West REALLY think Iran was going to accept the proposal?

    Perhaps, but NOT the United States.

    Remember, it will be the United States and Israel who will have to stop Iran’s nuclear program – when a “point of no return” is reached.

    Expressing “profound disappointment,” the ministers said, “we have no choice but to return to the United Nations Security Council” and resume a course of possible punishment or coercion that the powers had set aside in hopes of reaching a deal.

    Any real punishment or coercion at the Security Council is a long way off, but the group said it will seek an initial resolution requiring Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment. Debate could begin as soon as next week.

    Don’t look for any quick United Nations Security Council action.

    Next – Iran’s bloviations……

    Captain Ed has Iranian Nuclear Crisis To Go To Security Council

    Will the UNSC do anything about the situation? China and Russia have acted as obstacles to any resolution in the past, but today they joined the rest of the powers in the announcement. We can still expect them to resist the application of sanctions on Iran, but at least the stall has failed. The US and the EU have done what they can to placate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the mullahcracy, and their silence shows that their intent has been to stall long enough to attempt to split what consensus exists at the UN.

    Iran failed at that mission. Instead, their obstinacy has provided a moment of rare unity, and Iran may find that Russia and China will not provide the kind of political cover on which they rely.

    Flap would never count on China and Russia to do the right thing with regards to Iran’s nuclear program.  There are too many business interconnections between cash starved Russia, oil starved China and the nuclear fanatical Mullahs.

    Ultimately, the United Nations will do nothing to stop Iran.

    The United States and Israel will have to go it alone…….
    Stay tuned……

    Previous:

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran President Ahmadinejad – Iran WON’T Negotiate its Nuclear “RIGHTS”

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Faces Calls for United Nations Action on Nuclear Standoff

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran is CORNERED

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will NOT Respond Tuesday to P-5-Plus- 1 Proposal

    The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.


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  • North Korea

    North Korea Watch: China and Russia Introduce Rival “Weakened” North Korea Resolution

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    Wang Guangya, China’s ambassador to the United Nations, talks to reporters outside Security Council chambers during consultations on the North Korea crisis at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday, July 10, 2006.

    AP: China-Russia plan drops military threat

    China and Russia introduced a resolution Wednesday deploring North Korea’s missile tests but dropping language from a rival proposal that could have led to military action against Pyongyang.

    The draft, obtained by The Associated Press, “strongly deplores” North Korea’s missile tests last week and urges Pyongyang to re-establish a moratorium on such launches.

    It calls on — but does not demand — that all U.N. member states “exercise vigilance in preventing supply of items, materials, goods and technologies that could contribute” to North Korea’s missile program.

    The resolution also calls on all members “not to procure missiles or missile-related items” or technology from the North.

    This resolution is a “WEAK” response to North Korea and should be defeated. The Russians and Chinese just love Kim Jong-Il sticking a finger in America’s eye along with their buddy, Iran.

    China’s U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said he had been instructed to veto a much- stronger Japanese resolution, which is supported by the U.S., Britain, France and four other countries.

    John Bolton MUST allow China to VETO the Japanese Chapter 7 resolution. But, if China does, during the G-8 summit this weekend, their President better have an explanation to the other G-6 nations.

    Wang previously said Beijing objected to three key elements in the Japanese draft: the determination that the missile tests threatened international peace and security; authorizing action under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter which can be enforced militarily; and mandatory sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs.

    The Chinese-Russian draft resolution drops those three elements, which Japan and the United States consider crucial.

    Japan’s U.N. Ambassador Kenzo Oshima and U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said they were still prepared to put their resolution to a vote — even with the prospect of a Chinese veto.

    Let China VETO away……

    Stay tuned…….

    Previous:

    North Korea Watch: Iran Military Representatives Attended North Korea’s July 4 Taepodong-2 Missile Launch

    North Korea Watch: North Korea Failing to Respond to China’s Diplomatic Efforts

    North Korea Watch: North Korea States Conditions for Return to Talks

    North Korea Watch: United Nations Security Council Vote on North Korea Postponed

    North Korea Watch: China Asks Japan to Postpone United Nations Resolution

    North Korea Watch: Japan Considers Pre-emptive Strike Against North Korea


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  • North Korea

    North Korea Watch: Iran Military Representatives Attended North Korea’s July 4 Taepodong-2 Missile Launch

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    Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (L) walks with his Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem. Koizumi has won Israeli support for its accusation of North Korea’s military threat, while calling on Israel to take “rational action” to the escalating Middle East crisis.

    World Tribune: Iran military engineers on hand for N. Korea missile launch

    Iranian military representatives attended North Korea’s Taepodong-2 missile launch, according to Japanese news reports.

    At least 10 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attended the Taepodong-2 intermediate missile launch. Japan’s Sankei Shimbun and South Korea’s official Yonhap news agency reported the IRGC personnel were senior engineers who sought to learn from Pyongyang’s missile program.

    And this should be a surprise? And what other “nuclear weapon components” has North Korea sold Iran? Could this be the reason why Iran is stalling a response on the P-5-Plus-1 proposal? Or will say NO?

    Probably because Iran does NOT want IAEA inspections of their nuclear facilities.

    Is Iran closer to enriching sufficient uranium for a ncuelar weapon than the West has thought? Or have they purchased weapons grade uranium from North Korea?

    Possible and a scary thought…….

    Yonhap reported on July 1 that the IRGC engineers participated in the preparation for the Taepodong launch. The news agency said the IRGC has been examining Chinese-origin missile technology for Iranian procurement.

    South Korean sources said Iran and North Korea could be planning a project for the joint development of new liquid missile propellant. Yonhap quoted the sources as saying that the propellant could be used for both Iranian and North Korean missiles.

    Teheran and Pyongyang were said to be major partners in missile and nuclear weapons development. Western intelligence sources said Iran has been financing North Korea’s intermediate-range ballistic missile program.

    In December 2005, a North Korean ship docked in Bandar Abbas and was said to have unloaded about a dozen intermediate-range missiles. The missiles were identified as a variant of the Russian-origin SS-N-4, which could be fitted with a nuclear warhead.

    Axis of Evil?

    You betcha.

    But time is running out for both……

    Stay tuned…….

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    Previous:

    North Korea Watch: North Korea Failing to Respond to China’s Diplomatic Efforts

    North Korea Watch: North Korea States Conditions for Return to Talks

    North Korea Watch: United Nations Security Council Vote on North Korea Postponed

    North Korea Watch: China Asks Japan to Postpone United Nations Resolution

    North Korea Watch: Japan Considers Pre-emptive Strike Against North Korea


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  • Iran Nuclear Watch

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran President Ahmadinejad – Iran WON’T Negotiate its Nuclear “RIGHTS”

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    Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pictured here 08 July 2006. In Tehran, Ahmadinejad repeated that Iran would not negotiate on its “undeniable right” to have a nuclear programme.

    AFP: Iran won’t negotiate its nuclear ‘rights’: Ahmadinejad

    President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned that Iran will not negotiate on its “undeniable right” to have a nuclear programme, again rejecting international demands that the Islamic republic freeze sensitive atomic work.

    “We are for negotiations, we are for dialogue. But of course we will not negotiate our undeniable rights with anyone,” the president told a rally in the northwestern town of Shabestar. (Emphasis Flap)

    So, Iran’s answer is NO to the P-5-Plus-1 proposal? If Ahmadinead is saying he will NOT negotiate then why wait until August.

    The permanent members of the UNSC should refer these FOOLS for a Chapter 7 resolution, including harsh economic sanctions. If Russia and China have concerns let them abstain or explain the world their veto.

    In the meantime, Condoleezza Rice says a referral to UNSC is a path that will be decided at dinner this evening by the P-5-Plus-1 nations.

    U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iran’s refusal to accept an international incentives offer to negotiate curbs on its nuclear program will force major powers to decide on Wednesday to deal with the Islamic Republic at the U.N. Security Council.

    “The time for Iran to give a clear indication that we are on the path of negotiations, not on the path of the Security Council, has come and the indications are that the decision will be forced tonight,” Rice told reporters as she flew into Paris for talks on Iran with foreign ministers of major powers.

    “We have to decide tonight which path we are on … If we have not received that ‘Yes we are on the path of negotiations’, then I think it is pretty clear by process of elimination that we are on the path of the Security Council.”

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    Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is seen at the State Department in Washington, July 10, 2006.

    Stay tuned……deadline tonight?

    Previous:

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Faces Calls for United Nations Action on Nuclear Standoff

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran is CORNERED

    Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will NOT Respond Tuesday to P-5-Plus- 1 Proposal

    The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.


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  • North Korea

    North Korea Watch: North Korea Failing to Respond to China’s Diplomatic Efforts

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    U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill speaks to the press at his hotel in Beijing, China Wednesday July 12, 2006. Hill said Washington was counting on Beijing to take the lead in lobbying North Korea to stop missile tests and return to nuclear talks. ‘China clearly has a close relationship with the DPRK and the most influence, and we certainly would like to see what kind of leverage China has,’ Hill said, referring to the North by the initials of its formal name.

    AP: U.S. envoy: N. Korea failing to cooperate

    The U.S. nuclear envoy accused North Korea on Wednesday of failing to cooperate in efforts to end the uproar over its missile tests and nuclear programs, saying Pyongyang hasn’t responded “in a positive way” to diplomatic efforts by ally China.

    U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill, who met Wednesday with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, said Beijing was working hard to persuade the North to stop missile tests and return to six-party nuclear disarmament talks.

    “China’s trying. We’re trying. Everyone is trying, except the DPRK,” Hill told reporters, referring to the North by the initials of its formal name. “It is, frankly speaking, a little discouraging to see that the DPRK has not yet responded in a positive way.”

    Supporters of a U.N. resolution that would impose sanctions on the North over its missile tests have postponed a vote to give China time to use its influence as the North’s main ally and aid donor to push for renewed negotiations.

    Diplomacy may work but deterrence WILL work. Christopher Hill should make this perfectly clear to China and the DPRK.

    If there has been no movement in talks by the weekend and the start of the G-8 summit, then Japan’s Chapter 7 United Nations Security Council resolution, imposing harsh sanctions against North Korea should be voted upon Monday.

    Stay tuned……

    Previous:

    North Korea Watch: North Korea States Conditions for Return to Talks

    North Korea Watch: United Nations Security Council Vote on North Korea Postponed

    North Korea Watch: China Asks Japan to Postpone United Nations Resolution

    North Korea Watch: Japan Considers Pre-emptive Strike Against North Korea


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  • Blogosphere,  Iraq War,  Liberal Morons,  Politics

    Iraq War Watch:America More of a Threat to World Peace than Iran or North Korea – The UN-Correction

    Wizbang: What Murtha Really Said

    Previously we noted a controversial speech by Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) at a town hall meeting in Miami, FL, June 24, 2006. Elizabeth Baier, the reporter on the story, was forced by her editors at the Sun-Sentinel to do a hatchet job (or it was done for her) on the story in the face of an organized effort led by well funded liberal groups like Media Matters and Think Progress, and Murtha’s office that he was misquoted.

    Wizbang has the video here.

    The Transcript is as follows:

    Just think what that does to us internationally.

    On the debate on the floor of the House, and I was leading the debate on the floor, and this one fella says, “You talk about terrorism.” He says, “Ask Spain.”

    Well you ask Spain. Fifty six percent of the people in Spain think it’s more dangerous, the United States is more dangerous in Iraq than Iran is.

    Everyone of our allies think that the United States being in Iraq is more dangerous to world stability and world peace, every one of our allies; Great Britain, every single country… They think its more, uh, we’re more dangerous to world peace than North Korea or Iran.

    That says something.

    Notice how there was NO mention of the Pew Research Report.

    I defy you to watch the whole video and come to the conclusion that Murtha doesn’t agree with world opinion. In fact in his closing he states that he’s counting on it to push his pullout scenario.

    The revised story at the Sun-Sentinel is an amalgamation of the original report and the Murtha press release, in short a disaster.

    Perhaps they would like to give it one more shot, and just report what Murtha said…

    Update: Will the Sun-Sentinel revise their story yet again? And a better question is why did they do a hatchet job on the original story, introducing information directly from Murtha and his supporters into the coverage, with no sourcing? They hung their own reporter out to dry. At this point the story is less about the content of Murtha’s remarks than the campaign by David Brock’s, Soros-funded Media Matters, and others to change the reporting of the story without providing all the facts.

    And now Jack Murtha’s GOP opponent has picked up on the story.

    Diana Irey for Congress: Just What DID Jack Murtha Say About The U.S. Posing a Greater Danger to World Peace Than Iran or North Korea?

    Washington County Commissioner and Pennsylvania 12th district Republican Congressional nominee Diana Irey – responding to Jack Murtha’s lame defense of comments he made in Florida on June 24 – today released the following statement:

    “Is Jack Murtha now channeling Marty McFly, the hero of ‘Back to the Future?’ Is he now traveling in a souped-up DeLorean, popping forward in time? Or is he, rather, channeling George Orwell, dropping negative information down some sort of ‘memory hole’ to which he and only he has magical and mysterious access?

    There appears to be a concerted, orchestrated effort to twist the facts on Congressman Murtha’s statements, retractions,newspaper corrections and/or omissions.

    Isn’t it time for Jack to hold a news conference and address this issue directly?

    Congressman, what did you say and when did you say it?

    Previous:

    Iraq War Watch:America More of a Threat to World Peace than Iran or North Korea – The Correction

    Iraq War Watch: America More of a Threat to World Peace than Iran or North Korea


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