November 22, 2010

How Will Iran Respond to NATO Missile Shield?

Washington Institute, Washington Institute

AP Photo

The new "Strategic Concept" that NATO is expected to adopt at its Lisbon summit this weekend offers the advantage of an early initial capability to defend Europe against the emerging Iranian ballistic missile threat, even though -- in deference to Turkish sensibilities -- NATO is not expected to identify Iran as the source of the threat. For now, the Islamic Republic is unable to reach targets in Eastern Europe, but that could change as early as 2012 if Tehran decides to commence production of the medium-range Sajjil-2 missile. And because the NATO concept hinges first on the deployment of ship-based missile systems to the eastern Mediterranean, followed later by the deployment of land-based interceptors, it entails certain vulnerabilities that Iran could exploit in the near...

Read Full Article ››

TAGGED: Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, United States, Europe, Hizballah, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Obama administration, Base Hizballah, Tehran, Lisbon, Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, the Aegis, ship-based missile systems

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

May 15, 2012
Grading Medvedev's Foreign Policy
Int'l Institute for Strategic Studies
The Duma's confirmation of Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister on 8 May, a day after Vladimir Putin's inauguration as president, marked the completion of their long-anticipated role swap and a new period in Russia's foreign... more ››
May 16, 2012
The Risks of a Syria Spillover
Andrew Exum, World Politics Review
Over the past week, we have seen the first real case of sectarian violence spilling over from Syria into neighboring Lebanon. In clashes in and around the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, at least five people have been killed... more ››
May 11, 2012
Prepare for the Long Haul in Syria
Michael Young, Daily Star
One thing that the Lebanese can usually do with some precision is predict stalemate. Their own conflict between 1975 and 1990 was one long, debilitating lesson in destructive deadlock. So when those in Beirut look toward Syria... more ››
May 8, 2012
Lebanon Walks the Syria Tightrope
Roula Khalaf, Financial Times
A year ago, Lebanon was bracing for trouble.   With Syria’s uprising raging next door – and politics in Beirut divided along pro and anti-Syrian lines – many assumed it would be a matter of time before the country was... more ››