 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Outside View: Russia vs. BMD -- Part Two
Moscow (UPI) Sep 18, 2008 The U.S. Department of Defense's decision to deploy 10 Ground-based Mid-course Interceptors in Poland will expose the real interim and end goals of its plans for a global anti-ballistic missile system, which Washington started creating after it withdrew from the Soviet-American 1972 Anti Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002. If the Pentagon chooses Turkey, it will be able to monitor not only Iran's missile program but also the situation in European Russia -- strategic missile forces deployed in Ivanovo, Tver, Saratov and Kaluga regions. If it opts for Israel, its main goal will be Iran, and if it deploys its ABM systems in Japan, the targets will be China and Russia, including Russia's strategic missile forces in the Krasnoyarsk territory. The missile-tracking radar is ineffective without interceptor missiles, which means that a new ABM interceptor base inevitably will be built nearby. So we may soon hear about the "classified location" of such a base. Russia is worried about these preparations, especially since its relations with the United States are deteriorating, including over South Ossetia. Russian generals are also worried because the United States is not fulfilling the pledges it made at the meetings of both countries' defense and foreign ministers to make the ABM system transparent to Russia. Russian participants in these meetings have told me they believe the United States has no intention to formalize or make binding its promises "not to deploy anti-ballistic missiles in their silos until they know for certain that Iran has created missiles capable of reaching Europe" and "to place the Czech radar so that it faces only Iran." Further complicating things, the Pentagon has said it will allow Russian officers to visit its ABM facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic only if the two countries grant them visas. This only increases Russian suspicions about the true target of the U.S. strategic missile defense systems in Europe. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov did not say at his news conference in Warsaw last week how Russia would respond to their deployment near its border. "Do you really expect me to disclose the General Staff's secrets?" he asked. But Russia's possible response is not a secret anymore. Russian generals, including Nikolai Solovtsov, commander of the Strategic Missile Force, have said more than once that Russia would retarget its strategic missiles at the Czech Republic and Poland. If they want to become targets for Russian nuclear missiles, it's their choice, the generals say. Russia has told Washington more than once that no fence of anti-ballistic missiles near its border would save the United States from a retaliatory strike by missiles capable of evading ABMs as well as by air and naval systems. The latest reminder was the flight of two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 White Swan -- NATO designation Blackjack -- variable geometry strategic bombers to Venezuela, and the upcoming Russian-Venezuelan naval exercises, which may involve strategic and multirole nuclear submarines. The United States may soon find the ballistic missile system it is installing contrary to Russia's interests more of a headache than an asset.
(United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Japan shoots down test missile in US: ministry
Tokyo (AFP) Sept 18, 2008Japan said Thursday it had shot down a mock missile in the US desert, taking another step to build a shield with the United States against a possible North Korean attack. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
