Missile Defense Quick Links for Tuesday
April 7th, 2009
>> National Review’s Kathryn Lopez posts on The Corner blog a letter from a group of bipartisan U.S. senators who oppose missile defense cuts. Senators Joe Lieberman, Jon Kyl, Mark Begich, Lisa Murkowski, Jeff Sessions, and Jim Inhofe sent the letter to President Barack Obama. An excerpt:
“We write to urge you not to allow deep cuts in U.S. missile defense programs that are critically important to protecting our homeland and our allies against the growing threat of ballistic missiles.
“Secretary of Defense Robert Gates today announced plans to cancel or reduce such major programs as the Airborne Laser, Multiple Kill Vehicle, and the installation of additional Ground-Based Interceptor missiles in Alaska, and cut the MDA’s budget for Fiscal Year 2010 by $1.4 billion. Although we applaud Secretary Gates’ commitment to such capabilities THAAD and SM-3, these proposals would amount to almost a fifteen percent cut in the MDA budget and a major reduction in our missile defense portfolio—actions that we fear could undermine our emerging missile defense capabilities to protect the United States against a growing threat.
“As you know, the threat from ballistic missiles is significant and on the rise.”
>> Today Israel successfully test-fired its Arrow II interceptor missile, a system that will help the country defend against attacks from rogue states like Iran and Syria.
An unnamed source said, “The arrow’s interception altitude has been enhanced. Of course, the higher you go, the further out you can reach as well. Our doctrine is to intercept enemy missiles as far away from Israeli skies as possible. That gives you time for another try if you miss.” (Reuters)
>> According to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted before North Korea’s rocket launch, 57 percent of Americans said they support using military force to neutralize North Korea’s capability to launch missiles. Sixty-six percent of Republicans and 52 percent of Democrats said they support military involvement if North Korea moved forward with its military test. (FOXNews.com)
>> Today the U.S. issued sanctions against six Iranian companies and a Chinese man named Li Fangwei, also known as Karl Lee, for allegedly supporting Iran’s rogue ballistic missile and nuclear programs. U.S. Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey said, “Today we are acting under our Security Council and other international obligations to prevent these entities from abusing the financial system to pursue centrifuge and missile technology for Iran.” (AFP)
(Photo credit: Boeing)