[New York Post] Peter Brookes - On Feb. 5, Iranian President Ahmadinejad ordered the launch of a ballistic missile described as a "space launch vehicle" from a new space center in northern Iran. Iran claims it set the stage for a future launch of the first Iranian-built satellite next spring. A space program is critical to developing ICBM capacity. Theoretically, if you can launch a ballistic missile that can place a satellite into earth orbit, you have the scientific wherewithal to hit a target anywhere on Earth with a warhead, including a nuke. A two-stage missile from Iran could reach our East Coast; three-stages, the whole United States. The writer, a Heritage Foundation senior fellow, is a former deputy assistant secretary of defense.
2008-02-28 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive