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Obama scraps Bush-era missile defense for new plan

scourge99

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http://m.cnn.com/cnn/lt_ne/lt_ne/detail/368334

Obama scraps Bush-era missile defense for new plan

The United States is overhauling Bush-era plans for a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe, based partly on the latest analysis of Iran's offensive capabilities, President Obama said Thursday.The "new missile defense architecture in Europe ... will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the... program" that former President George W. Bush proposed, Obama said.Obama said the change of gears was based on an "updated intelligence assessment" about Iran's ability to hit Europe with missiles.The Islamic republic's "short- and medium-range" missiles pose the most current threat, he said, and "this new ballistic missile defense will best address" that threat.

Now we have two presidents who have both found it critical to spend billions of dollars on missile defense in Europe. Maybe the "nay-sayers" about missile defense will get a clue now that the Messiah is on board. That is, MAYBE, just maybe, missile defense is a smart and necessary move.
 
Why exactly are we wasting tons of money to protect Europe, especially if they aren't in any particular danger from Iran anyways? Its a waste of money and pisses off Russia for nothing in return. The money would be much better into R&D to improve the system to avoid another fiasco like the Gulf War.
 
Why exactly are we wasting tons of money to protect Europe, especially if they aren't in any particular danger from Iran anyways? Its a waste of money and pisses off Russia for nothing in return. The money would be much better into R&D to improve the system to avoid another fiasco like the Gulf War.
Did it occur to you that a missile coming from Iran would be above European soil if it is to be launched towards the US?
Sometimes I'm just surprised by the posts of some users here, and I'm not easy to surprise. :2razz:
 
Do we have any verifiable proof that Iran has actual nukes? Also do we have proof that their missiles are capable of reaching the eastern seaboard?
 
Why exactly are we wasting tons of money to protect Europe,
Because Europes problems have always become ours: WW1 and 2, Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia.

especially if they aren't in any particular danger from Iran anyways?
Apprently BOTH presidents disagree with you. Are they BOTH lying? It was easy for people to claim Bush was a liar but when Obama repeats what Bush says people are dumbstruck.

Its a waste of money
Apathy is often more expensive. The saying applies; laziness pays off now but hardwork pays off with dividends later.

and pisses off Russia
russians seem pleased at the moment. We'll have to see if they release a press report. Russians like the fact that Obama has moved it away from the eastern bloc nations Bush was planning it for.

for nothing in return.
its called "missile defense" and it works.

The money would be much better into R&D to improve the system to avoid another fiasco like the Gulf War.
What system would that be? Both Bush and Obama are confident that Iran is developing nuclear energy as a means by which to easily produce nuclear weapons if they ever choose to. Coupled with their ever increasing ballistic missile capabilties, Iran is the greatest threat and may even trigger an arms race in the ME as Saudis, Iraq, and others struggle to keep pace.
 
ya we all know we need to cut money but instead of cutting our protection lest cut the stuff that need cut
 
Do we have any verifiable proof that Iran has actual nukes?
they have a nuclear power plant that is capable of producing weapons grade material. They also have short medium and are developing long range weapons. They have all the pieces necessary and are keeping what they are doing hidden. Do we need a mushroom cloud before we even begin to respond to the obvious?

Also do we have proof that their missiles are capable of reaching the eastern seaboard?
its not our homeland we are worried about at the moment from Iran.
 
Did it occur to you that a missile coming from Iran would be above European soil if it is to be launched towards the US?
Sometimes I'm just surprised by the posts of some users here, and I'm not easy to surprise.

Iran isn't even close to building a missile capable of hitting us. Furthermore, hitting ICBM's is not within the specs for our current system, so it wouldn't work even if they did.
 
Iran isn't even close to building a missile capable of hitting us. Furthermore, hitting ICBM's is not within the specs for our current system, so it wouldn't work even if they did.

the concern is far less for us and far more for isrel (sorry about the spelling) like we are more worried for south korea than our selves
 
they have a nuclear power plant that is capable of producing weapons grade material. They also have short medium and are developing long range weapons. They have all the pieces necessary and are keeping what they are doing hidden. Do we need a mushroom cloud before we even begin to respond to the obvious?

Good god what a bad misconception. Nuclear Power Plants do not create weapons grade material. The International Atomic Energy Agency in multiple reports have stated that Iran does not have the proper material to create weapons grade uranium. They don't have ICBMs that are capable of even reaching our soil. And enough fearmongering about mushroom clouds Condeleeza you already played that trick once with Iraq.
 
Iran isn't even close to building a missile capable of hitting us. Furthermore, hitting ICBM's is not within the specs for our current system, so it wouldn't work even if they did.

Exactly the weapons defense systems we have mainly can tell us when something has been launched. Its an early warning system but we have never developed the ability to shoot down nukes. Star Wars never worked.
 
Good god what a bad misconception. Nuclear Power Plants do not create weapons grade material. The International Atomic Energy Agency in multiple reports have stated that Iran does not have the proper material to create weapons grade uranium. They don't have ICBMs that are capable of even reaching our soil. And enough fearmongering about mushroom clouds Condeleeza you already played that trick once with Iraq.

I think it was more being said that once they start that then the transition is a whole lot closer
 
I think it was more being said that once they start that then the transition is a whole lot closer

We have estimated several times they're at least 15-20 years off. The president of Iran no matter how crazy he is you have to realize he doesn't have the power in Iran he can claim all the crazy stuff he wants but he's no threat to the US
 
Because Europes problems have always become ours: WW1 and 2, Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia.

Excepting WW2, we made all of those our problems.


Apprently BOTH presidents disagree with you. Are they BOTH lying? It was easy for people to claim Bush was a liar but when Obama repeats what Bush says people are dumbstruck.

They are both wrong. Iran has no motive to attack anyone in Europe, except possibly England for historical reasons. Iran would first focus on Israel, or upon us. Most European countries haven't had any interaction with Iran in the first place.

Apathy is often more expensive. The saying applies; laziness pays off now but hardwork pays off with dividends later.

Except we are wasting money on building a system that brings no dividends at all.

russians seem pleased at the moment. We'll have to see if they release a press report. Russians like the fact that Obama has moved it away from the eastern bloc nations Bush was planning it for.

Remember how they responded to Bush's plan? While I suppose they could respond differently, why would they change their mind?

its called "missile defense" and it works.

In Gulf War 1, our system failed rather badly. While modern systems have been improved, treating them with healthy skepticism is a good idea. In either case, spending more money to increase the success rate or expand the sort of missiles it can engage is a better investment.

What system would that be? Both Bush and Obama are confident that Iran is developing nuclear energy as a means by which to easily produce nuclear weapons if they ever choose to. Coupled with their ever increasing ballistic missile capabilties, Iran is the greatest threat and may even trigger an arms race in the ME as Saudis, Iraq, and others struggle to keep pace.

Building a missile shield in Europe isn't going to do anything with regards to a local ME arms race.
 
We have estimated several times they're at least 15-20 years off. The president of Iran no matter how crazy he is you have to realize he doesn't have the power in Iran he can claim all the crazy stuff he wants but he's no threat to the US

they may not have the tech but they have people that are learning to work with nuclear materil and it will be way easer for them to work with some thing nuclear that they buy from china russia or north korea
 
they may not have the tech but they have people that are learning to work with nuclear materil and it will be way easer for them to work with some thing nuclear that they buy from china russia or north korea

Now you're just reaching. For that same reason we should concentrate on africa as well. They can buy nukes from china and russia
 
Good god what a bad misconception. Nuclear Power Plants do not create weapons grade material. The International Atomic Energy Agency in multiple reports have stated that Iran does not have the proper material to create weapons grade uranium. They don't have ICBMs that are capable of even reaching our soil. And enough fearmongering about mushroom clouds Condeleeza you already played that trick once with Iraq.

The Associated Press: AP NewsBreak: Nuke agency says Iran can make bomb

AP NewsBreak: Nuke agency says Iran can make bomb

(AP) – 1 hour ago

VIENNA — Experts at the world's top atomic watchdog are in agreement that Tehran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is on the way to developing a missile system able to carry an atomic warhead, according to a secret report seen by The Associated Press.

The document drafted by senior officials at the International Atomic Energy Agency is the clearest indication yet that the agency's leaders share Washington's views on Iran's weapon-making capabilities.


...............
 
Now you're just reaching. For that same reason we should concentrate on africa as well. They can buy nukes from china and russia

I wouldnt call that a reach just a logical conection
 
I wouldnt call that a reach just a logical conection

Well then we should waste money building missile shields everywhere as any country can buy nukes from russia and china
 
Well then we should waste money building missile shields everywhere as any country can buy nukes from russia and china

now your thinking i still like the star wars plan (I really am telling the truth)
 
Do we have any verifiable proof that Iran has actual nukes? Also do we have proof that their missiles are capable of reaching the eastern seaboard?
These questions proceed from a false premise -- that a threat must actually exist before the defense for tha threat can be developed and/or deployed.

Given the damage potential of the weapons in question, prudence demands that you stay ahead of the capabilities of your foe. Waiting to install a defense until -after- he can use it may very well be too late, and may very well incent him to use it while he still can.

As for Iranian efforts and capoabilities...

AP NewsBreak: Nuke agency says Iran can make bomb
 
Pffft, it's still inferior to my plan...which has mechs.
 
Nuclear Power Plants do not create weapons grade material.
red herring. Nuclear power plants do not make weapons grade material when generating electricity. No one claimed they did. Theproblem is Iran is enriching its own material even though they were given international guarantees of being provided nuclear fuel if they would not produce it themselves. They refused. Ever wonder why?

The International Atomic Energy Agency in multiple reports have stated that Iran does not have the proper material to create weapons grade uranium.
you are dead wrong. They have every ability to make it if they choose
http://wcbstv.com/national/israel.iran.attack.2.755478.html

And their are many open questions about why highly enriched particles were found:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-5-13-iran-nuclear_x.htm

They don't have ICBMs that are capable of even reaching our soil.
not yet. But that is not our main worry at the moment. Its our interest in Europe that is.

And enough fearmongering about mushroom clouds Condeleeza you already played that trick once with Iraq.
cry me a river, build me a bridge, and get over it.
 
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