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May 20, 2009

US-Russia Panel Says Missile Shield Wouldn’t Work
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A joint American-Russian commission has concluded the proposed US
missile defense system in Eastern Europe would be ineffective against
the types of Iranian missiles it would purportedly aim to stop. The Bush
administration launched the program under the pretense it would protect
Europe against Iran, but it’s widely seen as a far-strike weapon. The
commission of US-Russia scientists bolsters that perception. In their
report for the East West Institute, the scientists say Iran is highly
unlikely to produce a nuclear-tipped missile, and the proposed defense
shield wouldn’t be able to stop one anyway. The scientists say Iran is
years away from producing a nuclear warhead and could only do so with
major and highly visible foreign assistance. It also notes Iran would be
further unlikely to launch an attack because doing so would assure its
own destruction through US retaliation. The Obama administration has so
far continued with the missile program but hinted it could be open to
its cancellation.



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