Obama Backs Unproven Missile Defense for Uncertain Threat

[unhappycamper]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-19/obama-backs-unproven-missile-defense-for-uncertain-threat.html



U.S. soldiers work on a Patriot missile system at a Turkish military base in Gaziantep on February 5, 2013.

Obama Backs Unproven Missile Defense for Uncertain Threat
By Gopal Ratnam & Tony Capaccio - 2013-03-19T18:25:42Z

The Obama administration’s decision to shift $1 billion to a missile-defense system in the U.S. is raising questions about the still-unproven missile shield’s effectiveness and the threats posed by North Korea and Iran.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said March 15 that the Pentagon would add 14 land-based interceptors in Alaska in response to threats from North Korea. To pay for that move and develop an advanced warhead, about $1 billion would be shifted from efforts to develop a missile shield in Poland and Romania.

The money would go toward expanding the current arsenal of 30 interceptors the Pentagon has fielded as part of its Ground- Based Midcourse Defense system, which is designed to shoot down long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles. The system’s poor test record and history of technical malfunctions have clouded whether it can reliably stop long-range missiles such as the ones that North Korea and Iran are suspected of developing.

At best, the announcement may be a symbolic one to reassure U.S. allies South Korea and Japan that President Barack Obama takes saber-rattling by North Korea seriously, as well as to win some Republican support at home, said Joseph Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund, a San Francisco-based security research policy group.



unhappycamper comment: That one billion dollars is for fourteen, count 'em, 14 Standard missiles. Too bad about your 'entitlements'.

[idwiyo]

1. I had no idea either one is suicidal enough or that either one of them have long range missiles

capable of reaching US.

Funny though how they ALWAYS find money for stupid military projects.

[Purplehazed]

2. A new cold war...

might just kick the economy into high gear.....

It's a proud day to know that being furloughed might just contribute to political posturing.

[idwiyo]

3. I think you hit the nail on the head. Iraq is the new USSR, and NK is the new Cuba, I guess.

BTW, am very sorry about cuts to veterans benefits that republicans managed to get through. Very sorry.