InfoAnda - In restive Med, U.S. ship eyes risk of missile war

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Japan court rejects tobacco lawsuit, notes dangers | 22 January 2010
Victoria's Secret creates $2.5 million jeweled bra | 11 November 2011
Israel FM warns Assad will lose power if Syria goes to war | 5 February 2010

Facebook takes another shot at settling privacy lawsuit | | 16 November 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : In restive Med, U.S. ship eyes risk of missile war

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: In restive Med, U.S. ship eyes risk of missile war Reuters - Wednesday, September 9 By Dan Williams ADVERTISEMENT ABOARD USS HIGGINS, Mediterranean Sea - He is trained to hunt submarines or pirates, launch Tomahawk cruise missiles at coastal targets and shoot down attacking planes. He can also enforce naval blockades and rescue vessels in distress. Yet, on his first Mediterranean tour, Cmdr Carl Meuser may have another mission in mind, the kind the U.S. Navy has long performed off North Korea and Japan -- strategic air defence. Iran has girded its disputed nuclear project with long-range missiles. Israel and Washington's Arab allies are nervous. The Obama administration wants talks with Tehran, but is quietly shoring up the diplomacy with means for military containment. So Meuser cites no specific Middle Eastern adversaries when showing a Reuters crew his destroyer, USS Higgins, one of 18 American ships deployed globally with Aegis interceptor systems capable of blowing up ballistic missiles above the atmosphere. "Regardless of the threat, regardless of the territory that we are trying to defend, based on our national interest, we can cover a large area," he said. According to a regional map issued last month by the U.S. Missile Defence Agency, a Mediterranean-based Aegis could cover southern Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and north Egypt in the event of a missile war. Another ship, deployed in the Gulf, would similarly protect local Arab states. "Being ship-based, it also gives us more flexibility and gives our leadership more flexibility in that we can go places a lot more simply and folks at the embassies don't have to spend as much time getting clearance," Meuser said. "We just kind of show up 12 miles off the coast and we're in international waters." CLOSE ASSET For Israel, where Higgins docked this week, Aegis is an especially close asset. Israel already hosts a U.S. strategic radar, X-band, and its Arrow II missile interceptor, which is partly underwritten by Washington, is inter-operable with Aegis. Arrow designer Uzi Rubin said Aegis could be brought into line with Israel's air defences "at the flick of a switch." "I think it is very important that the United States make Aegis ships available should there be an attack by Iran, with their firepower joining our firepower," he said, echoing fears that Iranian nuclear warheads could one day be used against the Jewish state, although Tehran denies having hostile designs. But some Israelis have voiced concern at the degree to which their country may grow beholden to American military largesse. Assumed to have the region's only atomic arsenal, Israel has hinted it might strike Iran preemptively. Any such unilateral action could be circumscribed by the presence of U.S. forces whose ties to Israel would mark them out for Iranian reprisals. Israel is also reluctant to rely too heavily on Aegis ships, which are unlikely to carry more than two dozen of the costly SM-3 interceptor missiles and could thus, in theory, be stumped by a big salvo from Iran or its ally Syria. Pointing to Higgins's 90 pre-loaded launch tubes, Meuser said: "Even if you filled them up with the $10 million missiles -- that's a lot of money -- then you're still going to have a limited amount, so you would need to have more ships come in." PROTRACTED FACE-OFF Robert Hewson, a combat systems analyst with Jane's Information Group, said such reinforcement would be unfeasible for any protracted face-off between Israel and its arch-foes. "I don't think the United States can afford to provide the number of ships and assets required to provide 365-day coverage for Israel," he said. Thrift is one selling point behind the Israeli-U.S. plan to develop an upgraded Arrow III by the middle of next decade, with a projected price of $2.4 million for its interceptor missiles. Yet the Pentagon has also shown interest in a land-based version of SM-3, which could be offered to Israel either as a stop-gap or an alternative to Arrow, with the added domestic boon of diverting funds to its American manufacturer, Raytheon. Despite the protectionist instincts on both sides, Rubin said professional considerations would keep Arrow III on track. "The question is what's easier: to take a foreign-designed missile across the barriers of sovereignty and proprietary rights and somehow integrate it into our system, or to do it in-house? To do it in-house is cheaper and faster," he said. Raytheon says the "ashore" SM-3, due out in 2013, may also be considered by the Pentagon for Europe, where it could play a role with or without a missile defence deployment that former U.S. President George W. Bush had proposed in Poland and the Czech Republic and which has been fiercely opposed by Russia. "As Navy guys, we are going to have plenty of work to keep us busy. So if the Army comes up with a better answer for how to do this , then that's fine. I can tell you that Aegis is not the answer to everybody's problems," Meuser said. "But right now we do have a good capability. We are mobile, and we are on-scene ... so at least we can influence events." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World SF bridge reopens after repairs completedAP - 1 hour 31 minutes ago Milwaukee police: DNA links man to 9 slain womenAP - 2 hours 11 minutes ago Merkel: no premature judgments on Afghan airstrikeAP - 2 hours 14 minutes ago Military: Roadside bombs kill 4 US troops in IraqAP - 2 hours 15 minutes ago UK: Global deal on climate change may not happenAP - 2 hours 15 minutes ago Most Popular – World Viewed RBS close to selling off Asian assets: report Hershey considers rival Cadbury bid: report New Alzheimer's gene link discovered Economy outlook "better" than expected: bankers Appetite spells three wolves' doom in Switzerland View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Power problems mean Iraq suffers hot summer, again
No plan B if Ireland rejects EU treaty: Spain
NATO air strike a major error: Afghan president | International |
Microsoft Russian anti-trust probe closed
Merkel to face critics on deadly Afghanistan air strike
Iraq bombs kill eight, wound 28 | International |
Google removes European titles froml books deal
Two children among 12 killed in Iraq attacks
"Facebook" for 50-somethings woos India's Web-savvy seniors
Three British men guilty of airline bomb plot | International |
Libya rules out payments to IRA victims' families | International |
Iran's nuclear rights 'not negotiable': Ahmadinejad
Iran rules out talks on its nuclear "rights"
Lebanon opposition rejects Hariri government move | International |
Shadow of fraud lengthens over Afghan vote
Microsoft Russian antitrust probe closed | Technology |
Thousands flee new Pakistan anti-militant push
Indonesian military plane crashes, killing 4
Japan incoming government postpones Cabinet picks
Aliens, zombies try to break 'Thriller' record
Suspected U.S. missile strike kills 5 in Pakistan
More smoke expected from deadly LA-area arson fire
Secret pardon frees Afghan journalism student
Obama exhorts kids to pay attention in school
UNICEF furious as spokesman expelled from S.Lanka
Bay Bridge reopening in limbo for Tuesday commute
9/11: Unable to just watch, some civilians acted
Vietnam, Australia to form stronger defense ties
1 dead, others injured in Miss. prisoner van crash
Three guilty of transatlantic jet bombing plot
Better care, pay less: Some communities find a way
Australia intercepts 7 suspected asylum seekers
Ex-Ohio congressman says government cheated
Taiwan PM resigns over Typhoon Morakot
Libya to resist compensation claims by IRA victims
Four killed in Indonesian navy air crash
'White-collar criminal' Matt Damon does Venice
Stone film says U.S. demonizes Chavez, other leaders | Entertainment |
Final Destination retains lead at box office | Entertainment |
Chavez invites Turkmenistan into gas group
Beijing says companies can challenge fuel deals
Behar adds to female-dominated HLN lineup
Stone film says U.S. demonizes Chavez, other leaders
Chavez wows red carpet crowd at Venice filmfest
Venezuela's Chavez in Venice for Oliver Stone film
'White-collar criminal' Matt Damon does Venice
Damon turns corporate whistleblower in dark comedy
Sex Pistol singer John Lydon to reform Public Image
Women trail men in British banks' bonus league
Magnitude 6.1 quake hits off coast of Indonesia
Mexico removes attorney general who spearheaded drug war | International |
Brazil to buy French military jets, technology
Buzz grows ahead of Apple media event
Oil market 'stable and healthy': Saudi minister
US-TECH Summary
Suicide bomber attacks Kabul airport base | International |
Taliban call for probe as fall-out from Afghan air raid reverberates
Defiant Israel approves settlements boost
S.Korea demands apology from North for river surge | International |
Sudan trouser case woman jailed but not whipped
Militants attack students in Pakistan, 4 killed | International |
Israel authorises new settler homes in West Bank
Colombia shows videos of hostages held 11 years | International |
China coal mine blast kills 35, 44 missing | International |
Earthquake hits Georgia; no casualties | International |
China coal mine blast kills 35
Curfew in riot-hit Xinjiang lifted
SKorea demands NKorea apologize for flooding
CAPITAL CULTURE: Obama girls' outsized summer fun
Global Weather-Celsius
Off to see `The Wizard' for free at Netflix Oct. 3
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
China says coal mine blast kills 35 in Henan
'He's the only one we've got': Obama at 8 months
35 dead, 44 trapped in China mine blast: official
Volunteer NY firefighter honored with 9/11 medal
Pakistan officials say suspected US strike kills 5
Dallas suburb buying house where Oswald kept rifle
Asian pioneer Murakami recalls pitching...and FBI protection
Three guilty of transatlantic jet bombing plot
Afghan group says NATO strike killed 70 civilians
Party host busted after guest's car enters NY home
Obama thanks labor for hard-won rights at work
Surviving Bee Gees say to reunite for live shows | Entertainment |
Jay-Z bumps up album release to Monday | Entertainment |
Toyota to hire contract workers as sales recover
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea state think-tank calls for policy shift
Korea Hot Stocks
Clooney, Reitman soar with Up in the Air | Entertainment |
Taiwan dlr holds firm after premier resigns
Seoul shares trade firm; SK Energy, builders up
Nicolas Cage to star in thriller | Entertainment |
Michael Moore's Capitalism economical with facts | Entertainment |
S.Korea bond traders see no rate change Thursday
Clooney, Reitman soar with "Up in the Air"
Strong quake hits Indonesia; no injuries, damage
S.Korean T-bonds fall on U.S. lead; eyes on rate vote
Japan's current account surplus narrows in July
Michael Moore's "Capitalism" economical with facts
Venezuela's Chavez brings proletarian star power to Venice
Seoul shares rise as construction issues advance
Damon plays 'Informant' in Soderbergh film
Mark McEwen loses medical negligence lawsuit
Chavez walks Venice red carpet with Oliver Stone
Russia denies Arctic Sea carried missiles to Iran
Germany's Merkel more optimistic on growth
Karzai headed for Afghan vote win; watchdog finds fraud | International |
Hershey considers rival Cadbury bid: report
Hon Hai using ARM chips in low-cost PC projects
Three dead in suicide attack on Kabul airbase
German, French telecoms to join British mobile units
In restive Med, U.S. ship eyes risk of missile war
Giant statues reveal red hat secrets: study
Iran should free some post-election detainees: MP | International |
Hariri may bow out as Lebanon opposition snubs offer | International |
Street battles endangering Yemeni civilians: U.N. | International |
Divisions emerge in Iraq's stand against Syria | International |
Russia lambastes reports ship had missiles for Iran | International |
Karadzic's Hague trial could begin on October 19 | International |
Obama has school speech, Sotomayor event Tuesday
Milwaukee police: DNA links man to 9 slain women
Space crews say goodbye, shuttle departing Tuesday
US, Vietnam open annual Agent Orange meetings
Final Fantasy XIII to launch December 17 in Japan | Technology |
Obama 'fired up' for health care speech Wednesday
British mobile merger risk to Nokia Siemens | Technology |
NATO confirms civilians died in Afghan airstrike
SKorea demands North apology for deadly flooding
North Korea likely in focus as China hosts new Japan PM
Prepared text of Obama's speech to school students
Report: Kazakh helicopter crash kills 10, hurt 3
Report: Obama administration improves openness
Health care dominates as Congress returns
Pakistan resumes polio vaccines halted by Taliban
2 China Wal-Mart workers arrested after death
Hon Hai using ARM chips in low-cost PC projects | Technology |
Prosecutor wants 5 more Khmer Rouge investigated
Samoa passes right-to-left driving test
Taliban car bomber kills 3 in Afghan capital
Beijing to sell first yuan bonds in Hong Kong
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee weaker
Report: China August auto sales 1.14 million units
Japan studies noisier hybrids to protect blind
Japan stocks rise ahead of coalition deal
Nepal seeks billion-dollar China loan: minister
Seoul shares gain; SK Energy, Samsung SDI rally =2
Beijing to sell 1st yuan bonds in Hong Kong
China Metallurgical Corp takes orders for IPO
Byatt, Coetzee on Booker Prize shortlist
Chargers LB says he didn't harm reality TV star
Clooney in Venice for premiere of 'Goats' movie
Blige, Brown to perform at Vienna Jackson tribute
Indonesia's tough anti-terror plan under fire
Easter Island statues reveal red hat secret: study
Stone says Chavez film may struggle to get U.S. play | Entertainment |
Vogue empress Wintour: fashion genius or ice queen?
Mary J. Blige tops Jackson tribute in Vienna | Entertainment |
Sex for sale: the dark side of tourism in Lebanon
Clooney plays hippie soldier in comedy set in Iraq | Entertainment |
Byatt, Coetzee and Mantel top Man Booker shortlist | Entertainment |
Florence and the Machine leads Mercury Prize race | Entertainment |
Gun culture thrives in Thai south's climate of fear
Jay-Z bumps up album release to Monday
Battle lines drawn in France's spelling wars
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01