Iran Building Missle Launch Facilities in Venezuela

[whell]

What to make of this??

http://www.jpost.com/International/A...aspx?id=220879

If true, and when the work is completed, this puts Iranian - made missiles in striking distance of Florida (or, most certainly, the GITMO on Cuba). It should also be noted the there is a treaty between Iran and Venezuela to that one will attack the others enemies if one nation should be attacked.

If these missiles come on line, are they an immediate threat? Do we take them out preemptively?

[finnbow]

No confidence is the gazillion dollar Star Wars, Whell?

We have plenty of time to decide how threatening this really is. Neither Venezuela nor Iran have nuclear weapons, and when, and if, Iran gets them they're probably decades from miniaturizing them enough to put on missiles. No biggie (yet).

I bet we already have plans in the works to render this a non-threat, either by a direct attack or through sabotaging their control systems. In any instance, it might be better to let them spend bunches before we take 'em out.

[JonL]

1. I suspect it is not true.
2. If it is true, I expect it to be used as a bargaining chip for some kind of future economic negotiations.
3. The missiles, if they were to exist, would be a psychological threat only and their presence would likely cause hardship to the Venezuelan people. I say this because the first reaction from the US would likely be stiff economic sanctions, perhaps even a Cuban style embargo. Second, the missiles could never actually be used against us. The theory of massive retaliation still works against states (where it does not against loosely based terrorist organizations).

Chavez likes publicity. Iran likes publicity. The Jerusalem post likes to give it to them to fan the flames of hatred and warmongering.

[piece-itpete]

We never built Star Wars.

When the USSR tried this crap we didn't use economic sanctions. I'm not saying bomb them, but something will have to happen.

Pete

[whell]

Originally Posted by JonL

Chavez likes publicity. Iran likes publicity. The Jerusalem post likes to give it to them to fan the flames of hatred and warmongering.

Of course, the article states that the information was sourced from a German newspaper. Do Germans like to fan the flames of hatred and war-mongering too?

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

We never built Star Wars.

You mean the GOP spent hundreds of Billions on a Defense project that never materialized (a ground based Star Wars). Say it ain't so.

Actually, we have over 20 ships with Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegis_B...is_BMD_Vessels

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

We never built Star Wars.

When the USSR tried this crap we didn't use economic sanctions. I'm not saying bomb them, but something will have to happen.

Pete

it's ashame Saddam is not around to contain Iran as in the past isn't it?

[piece-itpete]

By firing on US planes daily?

20 ships is Star Wars?

Pete

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

By firing on US planes daily?

20 ships is Star Wars?

Pete

answer the question pete
hint:
the answer is yes, Saddam did keep Iran in check.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

By firing on US planes daily?

20 ships is Star Wars? Pete

Absolutely. It makes far more sense than building hugely expensive monuments to immobility. This way we can have Star Wars capability anywhere in the world.

Ground based Star Wars was planned for Alaska (against a Russian threat that no longer exists). Flexibility and mobility easily beat static and incorrectly targeted at non-threats.