Open Thread

Sorry, no short version….

SUSPECTED IRANIAN MISSLE BASE SAID TO BE UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN VENEZUELA

Western security sources are cited as confirming reports from the German publication Die Welt that Iran is going ahead with the construction of missile launch pads in Venezuela. The construction of the launch pads is in fulfillment of a pledge made in October of 2010, during a visit to Teheran, by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The missiles most likely to be deployed at these launch sites are the Shabab 3, with a range of 1500km, and possibly the Scud C with a maximum range of 700km.

The launch sites are located on the Paraguana Peninsula, which is about 80 miles from the Colombian border. The Head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force, General Amir al-Hadschisadeh, visited the location of the installations in February, it is reported, accompanied by engineers working for the Kaatam al-Anbia construction company, owned by the IRGC.

The installations will also consist of command and control bunkers, guard towers, and anti-aircraft systems. It is said that missile launch silos some 20 meters deep are planned for the sites. This is probably stage one of a larger base project if unimpeded by the U.S. or its allies.

It occurs to us that this might be the perfect location to deploy the Russian’s S-300PMU-1 strategic air defense systems. The Russians made the decision not to sell 5 battalions of these systems to Iran after the UN Security council placed sanctions on the nation due to questions arising about its nuclear program. The Russians had to scuttle a big arms deal with Iran worth some $800 million that was signed back in 2007, which included other weapons as part of the S-300PMU-1 package.

We have reported in past briefs, most recently 12/13/10 of the likely presence in Venezuela of Iranian missiles and IRGC missile officers and troops, sent to train their Venezuelan counterparts.

When the deal was made back in October it was agreed that the Iranians would use the missiles to fire on adversaries (America) that attacked Iran, but that Venezuela could make use of in case of “national needs”.

We note that following the Iranian-Venezuelan deal in October, the NATO summit convened in Lisbon on November 19/20/2010. At those meetings agreement was reached to install missile defense systems to protect Europe from missile attack, ostensibly from Iran. This is a clever way for Iran to protect itself and avoid the limitations placed on it by the sanctions program. Die Welt claims Iran has already paid, for the initial stages of the multi-million Dollar project, in cash.

We have reason to accept the veracity of this report, and if accurate it represents a significant danger to the U.S. and its allies and interests in the Western Hemisphere.

We are all aware of recent reports of Iranian attempts to enhance its ballistic missile capabilities, with the help of North Korea. Florida is 2000km away from the Venezuelan launch sites and out of range of the missiles that are likely to be deployed now.

“Now you may ask yourselves;

Why did legion post about the dynamics of human relationships in the middle of a political discussion.”

Nope, sure didn’t

“Why do we have an entire segment of society which consistently advocates for a nanny state which seeks to force “prosperity” or “success” or “achievement” or “fairness” with ideas like:
redistribution or social engineering?”

I agree with Bxgrl. Please. That’s utter rot, masquerading as deep thought.

And while we’re at it, putting “socialist” in front of any name calling of Strauss-Kahn is also unnecessary. His politics have nothing to do with his behavior. He’s a pig, because he’s a pig. Leave the socialists out of it.

Odd legion- I was thinking the same thing about you.