Posted on 05/15/2007 11:49:30 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
S. Korea, U.S. verifying reports on test of new N.K. missile in Iran: source
WASHINGTON, May 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean and U.S. military authorities are trying to verify newly obtained intelligence that North Korea test-launched in Iran a new kind of missile that was only revealed to the public last month, a source here said Tuesday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity involved, the source said North Korea doesn't appear to have tested the intermediate-range ballistic missile within its territory.
"But we did obtain intelligence tips that the missile was test-fired in Iran. I understand that the intelligence communities of relevant countries are tracking down the information," he said.
The missile, named "Musudan," is believed to have been developed from the former Soviet Union's SSN-6 model. Its range is estimated at around 4,000 kilometers.
The missile was first made public on April 25 at a parade marking the anniversary of the foundation of the North Korean military.
North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles on July 4 of last year, including an inter-continental Taepodong-2 that theoretically can strike the U.S. west coast.
The Musudan version is estimated to have a range longer than the Taepodong-1 but shorter than the Taepodong-2.
Ping!
I think we need to increase the length of your tagline.
I may add one more. Have to make a careful choice.:-)
Ping!
And take it from me.
Nothing good has come out of the Bush Administration over North Korea for the last six months. They have done a complete about face, and we are in ABJECT RETREAT.
We need to get ready for more of this.
And it is not just a "liberal" or "Bush bashing" thing to make such an objective observation.
I am in full agreement. Really love to see what went on inside White House to cause this meltdown.
BTW, in the Russian configuration, that missile had much more range. The North Koreans adapted them to carry heavier payloads.
Translation:
Title(bottom) - SOB Peddling Nukes
Narration(on the left) - On a peaceful autumn day, here comes the nuke-peddling curly-haired big shot.
It's a simple game of leverage. Iran and North Korea need each other, and are allies of convenience. From there, look at their pooled resources and shared goals.
Iran has something that North Korea doesn't. A trump card. Simply put, Iran has burrowed deep into the Iraqi political, military, and social reconstruction. Their militias are powerful, organized, and laying in wait. Their agents in the Iraqi government are numerous and well placed. If we move on Iran, Iran can reduce Iraq to an ungovernable, unsalvagable mess, at least for the duration of President Bush's term.
Enter North Korea, brimming with nuclear and ballistic know how. By staying cozy with Iran, they can deflect a lot of heat, by virtue of the Iraqi trump card. And they run some missile tests and other business options with Tehran in the meantime. There's nothing to be gained by letting the other be divided and conqured.
The White House, on the other hand, is isolated, and utterly desperate to keep Iraq progressing. Just getting a hold of Baghdad and Anbar is taxing us to the limit. While Iran would prefer to slowly but thoroughly subvert Iraq politically, if pressed they'll give it up and set it ablaze instead. We're not going to lay a finger on Iran or the DPRK while our military (which is stretched a lot further than the White House is admitting) is so tied down.
Our enemies are not fooled. They know we're off balance, and will keep Iraq on the brink for the next year and a half. All they have to do is run the clock out on President Bush. He's emotionally vested too deeply to the success of Iraq to take his eye off the prize. To that end, he'll sacrifice his struggle against Tehran and Pyongyang for a win in Baghdad.
It’s awful to watch. It’s almost like something is unraveling. Is the president so utterly focused on Iraq that he’s given up on Korea and Iran?
Why Tehran? They might as well launch it from their north-western border with Turkey, and come closer to London by more than 700 kms, easily making up for the shortcomings of the 4000-km missile.
Well if the Iranians have the same (har har) ‘success’ with those missiles that North Korea did when they staged their liddle multiple-launch attempts last year, I would expect to see one of those duds explode right over Tehran.
Which would be the ultimate irony, especially if a prototype nuke was installed in the nosecone.
(psssst, say Lord? “from my keyboard to Your Ears”, ok? ;)
MI Ping
You nailed it, Erik
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if this is confirmed.
What else could be expected...the support of the American people for sabre-rattling and a forceful approach to foreign dictators went up in the flames of the 2006 elections. Bush would have no support whatsoever for a tough approach - he is neutered by public opinion.
"With public sentiment anything is possible; without it nothing is" (Abraham Lincoln)
Unfortunately, we wasted the pre-emption card on Iraq. As a dyed-in-the-wool conservative Republican, it sorrows me to come the conclusion that this administration doesn’t know what the hell it’s doing.
The “Axis of Evil” speech was great theater, wasn’t it?
The WH went after the low-hanging fruit in Iraq - where intelligence coverage was knowingly sparse - and got burned to the third-degree. Our credibility is shot. This is not going to be resolved until an international crisis emerged, I’m afraid to say.
Thank you for the ping.
Bingo. Although I think Iran wants the Saudi oil fields first(and Mecca)
Sinking every ship that leaves NK would be helpful.
Yeah you not going get ban
BOY is this way Chia Pet want more money he really lose it on aid money ROFL
Years back, NK did manage to fire a missile over Japan.
That is a political problem, not a military one. Do you really think if we decided to slip off just one glove that Baghdad and Anbar province would really be taxing on our military?
The problem is NOT with the military, its with the meek and timid generation that watches the news 24/7 and cries right along with the war machine's "victims". Eventually people are going to have to understand that this is not going to be a sterile war of intimidation, threats, and bullying.
When cities really begin to fall and you see B-52's carpet bombing with wholesale destruction once again because it is the only thing these people will ever understand, then we finally may get somewhere, not before.
You sir, are 100% right on the mark. Few are noticing this.
Israel is the long, long term goal and short term red herring. Rome and NY are the first targets. NY will be an inside job attempt and I think Rome will be a missile attempt.
Eeks!
Seeing the Iraq mission through, winning the third phase of this WOT/inside Iraq...which is seeing a viable Iraqi Gov't which can defend itself up and running.....is simply a must in terms of our national security....along with our ability to make our next move on the world chess board.
The reality is President GWB isn't going to be able to solve every issue before he leaves office. But making sure Iraq is headed for success is essential to our future national security.
People now trying to second guess going into Iraq (instead of Iran, and what NK??). That is silly. If people think Iraq has been difficult, it is a cakewalk compared to what military operations in Iran or NK would be (unless we are simply going to "nuke'em"....which such a debate is only for the non-serious).
Reality is trying to bring the values of self-worth and freedoms to the heart of the ME (Iraq) and to Stan were (and are) strategically the right course of action. Doing such will provide tremendous benefits down the road....
GWB isn't going soft. He is simply dealing with reality and making decisions based off of the options that are actually available to him.....(not pie-in-the-sky BS options).
Also at the end of the day...elections have consequences. And when some in the GOP base foolishly stayed home in 06 putting domestic issues above national security (when the choices were abundantly clear, between a GOP led Congress and Defeatocrat lead Congress).....when the GOP didn't come out this hurt our national security.
Who fault it is is it Sunshine Condi or Sunshine Robert Gates
Jeffrey Lewis has written about this http://www.armscontrolwonk.com/1500/nork-irbm-musudan-1
“I am not a Rat. Never have been, never will. However, I am a Korea Peninsula Specialist.
And take it from me.
Nothing good has come out of the Bush Administration over North Korea for the last six months. They have done a complete about face, and we are in ABJECT RETREAT.
We need to get ready for more of this.
And it is not just a “liberal” or “Bush bashing” thing to make such an objective observation.”
I totally agree with your observation. Bush should have stayed the cowboy cleaning up the thugs without mercy. Instead, he listened to cabinet members who were listening to world opinion. Well, addressing world opinion is important on our intentions, but we could have continued our strategy of stating them on national news and giving to other countries in need. But no, what happened was a bout of compassion at a time we needed to continue violence. Bush Jr. should spend more time with Bush Sr. about how the CIA of his time was nasty, ruthless and effective in keeping the Soviets in check. We cannot back down from the current and looming larger conflict, we must be prepared and state to our enemies in no uncertain terms we will back our words up with actions, not do about-faces and act waffle. Now the world truly doesn’t get us or what our intentions are and this has made it far more dangerous.
“Our enemies are not fooled. They know we’re off balance, and will keep Iraq on the brink for the next year and a half. All they have to do is run the clock out on President Bush. He’s emotionally vested too deeply to the success of Iraq to take his eye off the prize. To that end, he’ll sacrifice his struggle against Tehran and Pyongyang for a win in Baghdad.”
Well put my friend. And our about face on entering direct discussions with Tehran add proof of your point. We must put real pressure on North Korea and simply TELL them we will intercept all missle and nuclear material to Tehran. Force their hand into battle of subjection. They destroy Seoul, we vaporize all of the North. Game, point, match.
“When cities really begin to fall and you see B-52’s carpet bombing with wholesale destruction once again because it is the only thing these people will ever understand, then we finally may get somewhere, not before.”
And I am sad to say without stopping Iran, the catalyst of our massive wholesale destruction will be a nuclear terrorist event on one of our port cities, courtesy of Iran. Sure they may pay in Iran but our country will be in a depression and it will be unlikely we will be able to protect our oil supply, leading to other enemies making their moves. It’s gonna get ugly, but we will win in the end.
“You sir, are 100% right on the mark. Few are noticing this.
Israel is the long, long term goal and short term red herring. Rome and NY are the first targets. NY will be an inside job attempt and I think Rome will be a missile attempt.”
Your practically quoting prophecy of John in Revelations and Ezekial. Revelations talks about the city on seven hills that the beast destroys in one instant. It makes some sense if you think about it. Who is stopping global communism/islamism (same thing of a state telling someone what to do all the time) from occuring? That would be Rome, the USA and Israel.
I’ve said it before... Bush is a missionary. We need a warrior.
Bush is well on his way to weakening this country nearly as badly a Clinton did... and he has two years left.
Are you for real? Who is going to use the B-52’s instead of Bush??? Clinton sucks and he ruined this country and turned a blind eye and left this mess for Bush.
The border is open to train traffic today and 1000s of S Kors are expected to vacation in N Kor this year.
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