This is perhaps the very best example of the timeworn spectacle of missile defense critics pantsing themselves with embarrassingly contradictory arguments, mere paragraphs apart:
1. Iran is so primitive that it will be years before it has the rudimentary missile technology to barely reach Europe or the United States. Thus, we don't need European missile defense:
The U.S.-Russian experts say Iran faces limits in developing ballistic missiles that could someday carry nuclear warheads. Its current arsenal is derived from relatively unsophisticated North Korean missiles, which in turn are modified versions of a Russian submarine-launched missile that dates from the 1950s.
As a result, the missiles have inherent weaknesses stemming from such aged technology, despite some improvements in their range, the report states. Moreover, the country lacks "the infrastructure of research institutions, industrial plants, or the scientists and engineers that are needed to make substantial improvements."
2. Iran is so advanced that its Fred Sanford bottlerockets (see 1 above) cutting edge ballistic missile prowess coupled with its state-of-the-art warhead and countermeasure acumen would defeat any US missile defense anyway:
Moreover, if Iran were to build a nuclear-capable missile that could strike Europe, the defense shield proposed by the United States "could not engage that missile," the report says. The missile interceptors could also be easily fooled by decoys and other simple countermeasures, the report concludes.
So again, the Iranian missile threat is so laughably crude we shouldn't be worried about it. But it is also so very mind-blowingly advanced that its shroud of wizardly decoys would deem our own missile defense as primitive as ... a junkpile Iranian missile.
Brilliant logic, mysteriously unnamed "top scientists" of the EastWest Institute!
But wait a tick ... these geniuses are named. I just had to find their clear-eyed analysis and open the PDF of their unbiased report, Iran's Nuclear and Missile Potential. Surprise, we have the trifecta of the world's most famous missile defense critics:
Beyond trotting out the preposterous Iranian Missile Paradox, the authors also fall back on the oh-so morally expedient response of incinerating millions of Iranians after they vaporize a few hundred thousand Europeans or Americans:
And if Iran attempted such an attack, the experts say, it would ensure its own destruction.
Ummm, how about shooting down the Iranian missile first (see the quote in my blog header)? Who knew these squishy peaceniks were such apocalyptic, bloodthirsty hawks? Hell, they sound like Curtis Freaking LeMay.
In any case, the Russians are latching onto this report big-time as President Obama prepares to visit Russia in July.
UPDATE (5-20-09): Welcome Doubleplusundead and Conservative Grapevine. Guess who just launched an advanced missile that can reach Europe?
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