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Proliferation Press

Saturday, July 22, 2006

News-Cycle Roundup: Updates in the World of Missile Proliferation and Missile Defense Systems

Israel's Non-Use of Anti-Missile Systems

In a very thorough and well written report, Victoria Samson explains why the world has not seen Israel respond its recent missile threat by activating their two-tiered anti-missile system.

She explains the two-tiered system, using an early form of the US Patriot System and an Arrow System, is unable to defend Israel form the short-ranged attacks used by Hezzbolah. This newly percieved threat by Israel-- a Hezzbolah armed with thousands of weapons Israel cannot stop-- helps explain Israel "disproportionate response" Israel is currently enacting in Lebanon.

Interestingly, Isreal recently rejected plans to produce the Northrop Grumman Corporation's Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (MTHE) system. This system is now seen in a recent US press release as the 'right' solution for the threat of short-ranged missiles. We'll see if Northup Gruman finds a way to recoup the Israeli loss of business in the US.

Austraila's Broken System

Owing to poor decision-making by the Austrailian Defense Agency, it seems a already paid for missile defense system for Hornett planes will have to forever lay unused. Why? It seems the system cannot be integrated into the plane.

The loss: $200 million and airdefense for pilots.

Making a Real Axis of 'Evil'? Iranian presence at N. Korean Missile Testing

The US State Department has publicly disclosed its suspicion that representatives for the Iranian government were present at the recent North Korean missile test.

Such a disclosure comes at a curious time: while the US is blaming Iran for the Lebanese crisis and stepping up pressure to open the option of sanctions if Iran does not respond to the recent nuclear proposal.

Not a bad move to put Iran and North Korea together: UN cooperation on the North Korean problem has been quicker to forge. Placing these two nations together may help turn away recent Russian opposition towards the idea of sanctions on Iran. Getting China and Russia on the same page as the US would increase the liklihood of international diplomacy curbing Iranian nuclear ambitions. To see a detailed reasoning behind such a position, read this recent TIME article by Elaine Shannon.

US-Japan Anti-Missile Sytem Cooperation

The United States will be deploying its PAC-3 Anti-Missile System-- an advanced Patriot System-- in southern Japan. The surface-to-air system will be run by 600 US troops, and will be expanded to Japanese installations latter in the year.

The build-up reflects fears of the North Korean missile program and also strengthening ties between the United States and Japan in the face of a burgeoning Chinese power in the region. One can get a sense of growing power of China in this Taiwenese press release demanding more concern be expressed in the international community at China's arms build-up.




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