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North Korea Launches Taepo-Dong II
MissileThreat.com - Claremont Institute ^ | April 6, 2009

Posted on 04/07/2009 6:38:43 PM PDT by ETL

On Saturday, April 5, North Korea launched its Taepo-Dong-2 ballistic missile in what was described as an attempt to put a satellite into low earth orbit. The missile launched successfully, and as the missile traveled over the Sea of Japan, its first stage was jettisoned, falling within the area previously designated by North Korea. The missile's flight path then continued over Japan before its remaining stages and payload fell into Pacific Ocean, approximately 800 miles off Japan's eastern coast. The distance the Taepo-Dong-2 traveled is being reported as 2,000 miles (3,200 km).

The missile and its payload seem to have fallen well short of the velocity necessary to put a satellite into orbit. North Korea's state news agency claims that the launch successfully orbited a satellite broadcasting revolutionary songs. Although U.S. Aegis ships and Japanese patriot missile-defense systems were on alert in the region, no attempt was made to intercept the missile after it was determined that its trajectory posed no threat to civilian populations.

North Korea's last satellite launch attempt was in 1998. Themissile tested then was the Taepo-Dong-1. Then as now, North Korea's news agency reported the successful launch of a "communications" satellite that would play revolutionary melodies.

North Korea's last missile launch was in 2006, a Taepo-Dong-2 test which failed 42 seconds after launch. The missile used on April 6, 2009 is thought to be a modified Taepo-Dong-2, called the "Unha-2" by North Korea.

President Obama called the attempted satellite launch a "provocative act." The U.S. was nonetheless unable to convince the 15-member U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the launch when it met in emergency session on Sunday, April 5.

Iran used the incident as an opportunity to reiterate the independence of the North Korean and Iranian missile programs. While fielding a question about North Korea's missile launch after a speech he gave about Iran's nuclear program, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said: "There is absolutely no relation between the two countries. North Korea launched its space program several years ago and has fired rockets into space many times."

Russia, one of five permanent members on the U.N. Security Council, continues to emphasize the importance of the six-party talks for the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. Unable to reach an agreement about the proper response to the incident, the Security Council agreed only to further talks. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has announced his agreement with Russia's ‘prudent' response.

North Korea Launches Taepo-Dong II April 6, 2009 http://missilethreat.com/


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bhoasia; bhonukes; missiledefense; nknukes; northkorea; sdi; starwars; taepodong
Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs

February 29, 2008 :: News
MissileThreat.com

A video has surfaced of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama talking on his plans for strategic issues such as nuclear weapons and missile defense.

The full text from the video, as released, reads as follows:

Thanks so much for the Caucus4Priorities, for the great work you've been doing. As president, I will end misguided defense policies and stand with Caucus4Priorities in fighting special interests in Washington.

First, I'll stop spending $9 billion a month in Iraq. I'm the only major candidate who opposed this war from the beginning. And as president I will end it.[i.e. not win it]

Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending.

I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.

I will not weaponize space.

I will slow our development of future combat systems.

And I will institute an independent "Defense Priorities Board" to ensure that the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending.

Third, I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons. To seek that goal, I will not develop new nuclear weapons; I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material; and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair-trigger alert, and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.

You know where I stand. I've fought for open, ethical and accountable government my entire public life. I don't switch positions or make promises that can't be kept. I don't posture on defense policy and I don't take money from federal lobbyists for powerful defense contractors. As president, my sole priority for defense spending will be protecting the American people. Thanks so much.

Article: Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs:
http://missilethreat.com/archives/id.7086/detail.asp

"MissileThreat.com is a project of The Claremont Institute devoted to understanding and promoting the requirements for the strategic defense of the United States."
_____________________________________________________________

Next, an expert analysis of Obama's proposals...
_____________________________________________________________

Obama Promises to Dismantle Our Armed Forces
by Robert Maginnis
Posted 04/10/2008 ET


Mr. Maginnis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, a national security and foreign affairs analyst for radio and television and a senior strategist with the U.S. Army.

YouTube has an undated 52-second clip [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o84PE871BE October, 2007 -ETL] of Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barrack Obama outlining his plans for America’s national defense. Obama’s presentation demonstrates either total naivete about important national security programs or he is just pandering for votes among the extreme left.

Watch Obama’s message and consider some inconvenient facts about his national security promises.

I’m the only major candidate to oppose this war from the beginning and as president I will end it.” No one likes war: especially those who have to do the fighting and dying. Yet, our military leaders make clear that the consequences of a rapid withdrawal from Iraq as Obama seeks would be disastrous not only for American interests in the region but for Iraq itself. It would provide a propaganda victory for al Qaeda and Iran because they will be able to claim they defeated America. Further, it could worsen the Iraqi civil war, create an unstable Mideast and further spike oil prices.

Second, I will cut tens of billions of dollars in wasteful spending.” Anyone who has worked with the military for any length of time knows there is waste, often in weapons systems. Recently, the Government Accountability Office found that 95 major weapons systems -- including the Joint Strike Fighter and the Littoral Combat Ship -- have exceeded their original budgets. These cost overruns could be the result of waste or mismanagement or, perhaps, the development and fielding of sophisticated new weapons with constantly changing requirements is difficult and inefficient.

The senator should understand there is a difference between waste and defense spending. But does he? There is no reason to think so in any of his speeches or position papers. Obama’s employer, the US Congress, indulges in pork barrel earmarks contributing to wasteful Pentagon spending. Earmarks circumvent merit-based systems to create jobs in favored congressional districts and saddle the military with unwanted -- wasteful -- programs.

I will cut investments in unproven missile defense systems.” Recently, both our sea-based and ground-based missile systems proved to be successful. On Feb 20, the USS Lake Erie armed with an SM-3 missile destroyed a wayward satellite traveling at more than 17,000 MPH more than 100 miles high. In September, 2007, our ground-based midcourse defense system killed a dummy missile over the Pacific using an interceptor stationed in Alaska. The US Bureau of Arms Control warns, “The ballistic missile danger to the US, its forces deployed abroad, and allies and friends is real and growing.”

I will not weaponize space.” America’s current policy is not to weaponize space. However, it’s important for policy makers to recognize the US’s dependence on space. Our banking, communications and navigation systems almost entirely depend on satellites. Space lines of communication are as essential for commerce today as sea lines of communication were two centuries ago. Does Obama mean he wouldn’t provide defensive systems for our satellites? Apparently so.

Surrendering space to rogue nations and pirates places our economy and military at risk. Anti-satellite weaponry will proliferate and must be countered.

I will slow our development of future combat systems.” Our combat systems are becoming ancient. Our air force is flying aircraft which are based on 1940s and 1950s technology and our army is driving 1960s and 1970s vintage vehicles. Older equipment is expensive, time consuming to maintain and potentially dangerous.

The Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) is the first full-spectrum modernization effort in nearly 40 years. It will replace Cold War-era relics with “full-spectrum” operations capable modular systems designed to operate in complex terrain. It can also be adapted to civil support, such as disaster relief.

Failing to develop future combat systems puts American warriors at risk and unnecessarily jeopardizes our security.

"...and I will institute an independent defense priorities board to ensure that the Quadrennial Defense Review is not used to justify unnecessary spending.” Congress created the QDR as an every four-year analysis intended to balance defense strategy and programs with resources.

In 2007, the Government Accountability Office, an “independent defense priorities board” in its own right, published its analysis of the most recent QDR. It lauded the Bush administration for sustained involvement of senior officials, extensive collaboration with interagency partners and creating a database to track implementation of initiatives. The GAO faulted Congress for failing to clarify its expectations regarding what budget information the Pentagon should provide.

To make matters worse, Congress’ 2008 Defense Authorization Act created two new and redundant every four year analyses. One is an independent military assessment of roles and missions and the other identifies core mission areas, competenceis and capabilities.

Obama is right to criticize the QDR because it has become an exercise in fantasy but his Congressional colleagues keep piling on new requirements. The senator can help the Pentagon by scaling back on the analyses requirements. Just tell the military what the country can afford and then have the services explain what they will buy and how much risk we will have to accept.

To seek that goal I will not develop new nuclear weapons.” That’s dangerous. Our present nuclear arsenal will atrophy if it isn’t modernized. According to the head of the military’s Strategic Command, Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, our warheads are aging and weren’t designed to last forever, making him nervous. “I liken it to approaching a cliff -- and I don’t know how far away from that cliff I am,” Chilton said.

Ambassador Linton F. Brooks, administrator of the US’s National Nuclear Security Administration, said we have a new program that will potentially reduce the number of warheads and make them safer. It’s called the Reliable Replacement Warhead program and “contemplates designing new components for previously tested nuclear packages.” The RRW would create, Brooks said, a "reduced chance we will ever need to resort to nuclear testing" again.

I will seek a global ban on the production of fissile material...” Nations capable of producing nuclear weapons produce fissile material for their atomic arsenals. Many of these same nations produce fissile material to fuel their nuclear power plants which light millions of homes and are a cheap, clean energy source in a world concerned about hydrocarbon pollution.

Efforts to control the production of fissile material date back to the 1946 Baruch Plan but that attempt was abandoned during the Cold War. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush announced that the US no longer produced fissile material for nuclear weapons and in 1993 President Bill Clinton called for Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty negotiations. While this is a worthy goal it is not achievable in an energy hungry world.

...and I will negotiate with Russia to take our ICBMs off hair trigger alert...

The US nuclear forces are not on “hair trigger” alert. Only a portion of America’s deployed nuclear forces maintain a ready alert status.

Besides, our policy does not rely on a “launch on warning” strategy. Rather, our forces are postured to provide flexibility by raising the readiness status of the force and by putting weapons systems on alert when necessary.

...and to achieve deep cuts in our nuclear arsenals.” Our nuclear arsenal is a deterrent against enemies with similar systems. Deep cuts without verifiable reciprocal cuts would be dangerous. However, we are making progress via the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty which proposes a reduction of the overall threathold of up to 1,500 warheads. Russia has approximately 4,162 and the US has 5,866 strategic warheads and both nations possess thousands of tactical weapons and reserve stocks as well.

Senator Obama’s national security views expressed in his 52-second video reflect that of a knee-jerk liberal academic who thinks that the US is the primary threat to world peace. His views are dangerously naive and his statements suggest a shallow understanding of national security issues and in some cases his facts are wrong.

Mr. Maginnis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, a national security and foreign affairs analyst for radio and television and a senior strategist with the U.S. Army.

Article: Obama Promises to Dismantle Our Armed Forces
by Robert Maginnis, 04/10/2008
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?print=yes&id=25942

Here's the video from the Obama camp itself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o84PE871BE
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I will not weaponize space.

2008 Pentagon Report (March 2008):
China's Growing Military Space Power

By Leonard David
Special Correspondent, SPACE.com
March 6, 2008

GOLDEN, Colorado — A just-released Pentagon report spotlights a growing U.S. military concern that China is developing a multi- dimensional program to limit or prevent the use of space-based assets by its potential adversaries during times of crisis or conflict.

Furthermore, last year's successful test by China of a direct-ascent, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon to destroy its own defunct weather satellite, the report adds, underscores that country's expansion from the land, air, and sea dimensions of the traditional battlefield into the space and cyber-space domains.

Although China's commercial space program has utility for non- military research, that capability demonstrates space launch and control know-how that have direct military application. Even the Chang'e 1 — the Chinese lunar probe now circling the Moon — is flagged in the report as showcasing China's ability "to conduct complicated space maneuvers — a capability which has broad implications for military counterspace operations."

To read the entire publication [29.67MB/pdf], see U.S. Dept of Defense:
http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/China_Military_Report_08.pdf

1 posted on 04/07/2009 6:38:44 PM PDT by ETL
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To: All
Russia's Medvedev hails "comrade" Obama

Associated Foreign Press (AFP) ^ | April 2, 2009 | Anna Smolchenko

"Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hailed Barack Obama as "my new comrade" Thursday after their first face-to-face talks"

Posted on Friday, April 03, 2009 8:10:15 AM EDT by ETL:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2221410/posts
_____________________________________________________________

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html
_____________________________________________________________

[2009] Russia, China plan new joint military exercises

By MARTIN SIEFF, UPI Senior News Analyst
Published: March 26, 2009

WASHINGTON, March 26 (UPI) -- The continuing tensions over Russia's refusal to sell its state-of-the-art land warfare advanced weapons systems to China hasn't interrupted the rhythm of major joint military exercises between the two major land powers on the Eurasian landmass. The latest in the regular, biennial series of exercises between the two nations has been confirmed for this summer.

The next in the now well-established series of exercises called Peace Mission 2009 will be carried out in northeastern China, the Russian Defense Ministry announced March 18, according to a report carried by the RIA Novosti news agency.

The first bilateral Peace Mission maneuvers -- described at the time as counter-terrorism exercises -- were held in Russia and the eastern Chinese province of Shandong in August 2005. As we reported at that time, they were a lot bigger than mere counter-terrorism exercises. Warships, squadrons of combat aircraft and more than 10,000 troops were involved carrying out landings against hypothetically hostile shores. The maneuvers also involved large-scale paratroops drops. The scale and nature of those exercises suggested a trial run for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan with Russian support. ..."

http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/03/26/Russia_China_plan_new_joint_military_exercises/UPI-25021238094858/
_____________________________________________________________

Russia, China flex muscles in joint war games
August 17, 2007

CHEBARKUL, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and China staged their biggest joint exercises on Friday but denied this show of military prowess could lead to the formation of a counterweight to NATO.

"Today's exercises are another step towards strengthening the relations between our countries, a step towards strengthening international peace and security, and first and foremost, the security of our peoples," Putin said.

Fighter jets swooped overhead, commandos jumped from helicopters on to rooftops and the boom of artillery shells shook the firing range in Russia's Ural mountains as two of the largest armies in the world were put through their paces.

The exercises take place against a backdrop of mounting rivalry between the West, and Russia and China for influence over Central Asia, a strategic region that has huge oil, gas and mineral resources.

Russia's growing assertiveness is also causing jitters in the West. Putin announced at the firing range that Russia was resuming Soviet-era sorties by its strategic bomber aircraft near NATO airspace.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-29030120070817?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
_____________________________________________________________

War Games: Russia, China Grow Alliance
September 23, 2005

In foreign policy it’s critical to “know thine enemy.” So American policymakers should be aware that Russia and China are inching closer to identifying a common enemy — the United States.

The two would-be superpowers held unprecedented joint military exercises Aug. 18-25. Soothingly named “Peace Mission 2005,” the drills took place on the Shandong peninsula on the Yellow Sea, and included nearly 10,000 troops. Russian long-range bombers, the army, navy, air force, marine, airborne and logistics units from both countries were also involved.

Moscow and Beijing claim the maneuvers were aimed at combating terrorism, extremism and separatism (the last a veiled reference to Taiwan), but it’s clear they were an attempt to counter-balance American military might.

Joint war games are a logical outcome of the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in 2001, and reflect the shared worldview and growing economic ties between the two Eastern Hemisphere giants. As the Pravda.ru Web site announced, “the reconciliation between China and Russia has been driven in part by mutual unease at U.S. power and a fear of Islamic extremism in Central Asia.”
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed092605a.cfm

2 posted on 04/07/2009 6:40:26 PM PDT by ETL (ALL the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL

Aren’t they preparing to shoot of another one very soon?

I don’t suppose we’ll do anything about it either.


3 posted on 04/07/2009 6:42:51 PM PDT by Kimberly GG (Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda been HUNTER.)
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To: Kimberly GG

Type 0 Dong


4 posted on 04/07/2009 6:47:49 PM PDT by omega4179 (boycott government run entities)
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To: Kimberly GG
Aren’t they preparing to shoot off another one very soon?

I don't know. If you have linked info, please post it here.

5 posted on 04/07/2009 6:49:48 PM PDT by ETL (ALL the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL

Looks like the Dong came up a little short...


6 posted on 04/07/2009 6:54:52 PM PDT by Free Vulcan (No prisoners. No mercy. 2010 awaits.....)
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To: ETL

Well, I pretty much have FOX news on all day and that’s where I heard it, but I can’t provide you with a link. Possibly Cavuto, I’m not sure, just remember them discussing that another one was already being prepared to launch.


7 posted on 04/07/2009 7:01:56 PM PDT by Kimberly GG (Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda been HUNTER.)
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To: ETL
BTT. Possibly a separation failure, haven't heard any reliable data yet. Not especially impressive but sooner or later they'll get it right.

It won't really hold the Iranians back much - they don't need a 2800-mile missle unless they intend to cover all of Europe. And it doesn't appear as if Europe cares very much if they do.

8 posted on 04/07/2009 7:03:03 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Kimberly GG

Thanks. I posted this article mainly to provide some additional info about the April 5th launch, and to introduce folks to the MissileThreat.com website. I haven’t seen anyone posting articles from it.

MissileThreat.com:
http://missilethreat.com/


9 posted on 04/07/2009 7:09:14 PM PDT by ETL (ALL the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL

“before its remaining stages and payload fell into Pacific Ocean,”

Educated guess: I bet we have some kind of secret technology to shoot these things down and make it look like a malfunction.


10 posted on 04/07/2009 7:09:52 PM PDT by garjog (Used to be liberals were just people to disagree with. Now they are a threat to our existence.)
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To: Billthedrill

With the dramatic and continuing increases in the Muslim populations throughout most of Europe, Iran would be very foolish to attack many of their own. The invasion of all of Europe by Muslims is already ongoing, and they don’t even have to fire a single shot!


11 posted on 04/07/2009 7:11:02 PM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore (Conservatives obey the rules. Leftists cheat. Who probably has the political advantage?)
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To: Kimberly GG

Also...something that seems to have gotten overlooked due to the launch...I would not want to be these two...looks like one is the sister of Lisa Ling.

Surely the arrest wouldn’t have had anything to do with our NOT taking action against NK?

Report: North Korea planning to put American reporters on trial

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/30/north.korea.journalists/index.html#cnnSTCText


12 posted on 04/07/2009 7:12:07 PM PDT by Kimberly GG (Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda been HUNTER.)
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To: Billthedrill

At 2,000 miles this bird came down somewhere around Wake Island. So when the feds state that this missile was not a threat to the United States, they are just flat out lying.


13 posted on 04/07/2009 7:12:22 PM PDT by justa-hairyape
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To: justa-hairyape
Is there such a thing as Warp Speed 3?

If so, that seems to be the speed this obama Adm. is sending our country to hell.

14 posted on 04/07/2009 7:56:35 PM PDT by BARLF
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To: BARLF
More likely an American Hiroshima. Top targets apparently are New York, Miami, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C., according to this interesting article. Note that they state sleeper cells get activated prior to the Hiroshima. Seen any news lately of potential sleeper activity ? (he sarcastically asked)
15 posted on 04/07/2009 8:56:46 PM PDT by justa-hairyape
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To: justa-hairyape

Thanks ,justa


16 posted on 04/08/2009 5:15:44 AM PDT by BARLF
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