Posted on 11/11/2009 7:37:41 PM PST by Ravnagora
FrontPage Interviews guest today is Hadi T. Ardestani, a Nuclear Waste Management Expert and a Nuclear Issues Specialist in the Marze Por Gohar Party (MPG), an Iranian opposition party seeking the establishment of a secular republic in Iran.
FP: Hadi T. Ardestani, welcome to Frontpage Interview.
I would like to talk to you today about the Electromagnetic (EMP) threat. Many people are not really that familiar with it. Give us the definition and tell us what it is all about.
Ardestani: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk about one of the more significant but least discussed national security threats: EMP.
EMP comes from the words Electromagnetic Pulse, which occurs when a high-altitude nuclear detonation produces an immediate flux of gamma rays from the nuclear reactions within the device. These photons, in turn, produce high-energy free electrons by compton scattering at altitudes between (roughly) 20 and 40 km. These electrons are then trapped in the Earths magnetic field, giving rise to an oscillating electric current. This current is asymmetric in general and gives rise to a rapidly rising radiated electromagnetic field called an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Because the electrons are trapped essentially simultaneously, a very large electromagnetic source radiates coherently.
There are three main types of explosions to be considered on the effects of the electromagnetic pulse. These are near-surface bursts, medium-altitude bursts, and high-altitude bursts. Near-surface bursts are those at altitudes up to 1.2 miles, medium-altitude bursts range from 1.2 miles to 19 miles, and high-altitude bursts are those above 19 miles. These altitudes are only rough guidelines.
FP: Tell us about the effects of EMP.
Ardestani: Since EMP is electromagnetic radiation traveling at the speed of light, all of the affected area could possibly be affected almost simultaneously. With such a possible threat, it is important to consider what may be affected. Because of the intense electromagnetic fields (about 10 kV/m) and wide area of coverage, the EMP can induce large voltages and currents in power lines, communication cables, radio towers, and other long conductors serving a facility.
Some other notable collectors of EMP include railroad tracks, large antennas, pipes, cables, wires in buildings, and metal fencing. Although materials underground are partially shielded by the ground, they are still collectors, and these collectors can deliver the EMP energy to a larger facility. This produces surges that can destroy the connected device, such as power generators or long distance telephone systems. An EMP could destroy many services needed to survive a war.
It is also important to realize how vulnerable the military is to EMP. Military systems often use the most sophisticated and therefore most vulnerable, electronics available, and many of the systems that must operate during a nuclear war cannot tolerate the temporary disturbances that EMP may induce. Furthermore, many military duties require information to be communicated over long distances. This type of communication requires external antennas, which are extremely susceptible to EMP. Also, some military duties require information-gathering techniques. Many of these techniques use electronic devices connected directly to antennas or radar. Although the devices may be inside shielded buildings, the antennas bring the EMP inside, to the electronics.
In conclusion, the immediate effects of EMP are disruption of, and damage to, electronic systems and electrical infrastructure. EMP is not reported in scientific literature to have direct effect on people in the parameter range of present interest. But its volatile state, a small amount of nuclear weaponry potentially just one weapon can produce a catastrophic impact on our society. This makes EMP a candidate to be used in a massive terrorist attack.
Here is a possible scenario according to Mr. T. Kennedy:
Let us say the freighter ship launches a nuclear-armed Shahab-3 missile off the coast of the U.S. and the missile explodes 300 miles over Chicago. The nuclear detonation in space creates an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Gamma rays from the explosion, through the Compton Effect, generate three classes of disruptive electromagnetic pulses, which permanently destroy consumer electronics, the electronics in some automobiles and, most importantly, the hundreds of large transformers that distribute power throughout the U.S. All of our lights, refrigerators, water-pumping stations, TVs and radios stop running. We have no communication and no ability to provide food and water to 300 million Americans.
You can easily imagine what this will do to aircraft in flight and the damage to all modes of transportation as well.
FP: As the Nuclear Committee Chairman of MPG, to what extent do you think Iran is capable of launching an EMP attack?
Ardestani: First, as I have made clear in many of my statements, I totally do not believe the idea that the Islamic Republic of Irans nuclear program is or could be and/or may change into a peaceful and civilian program.
They certainly will use any tools they can possibly use to extend and establish the Islamic Republic throughout the world. This is their goal as indicated in their constitution which has clearly assigned the duty of global Jihad to the Revolutionary guards and the military. This is also what they constantly declare all the time in their local media.
I confirm that scientifically they have enough power to make an EMP attack. There is no guarantee that they will stop at that and wont attempt conventional nuclear attacks. This Islamic government has not displayed any moral or ethic discipline towards anyone and has shown zero interest in engaging anybody on any level.
The proof is here: look at the recent massacre on the streets of Iran after the presidential election. This Islamic government shows no reservations about torture and remorselessly murders its own people and even more their own colleagues. When given a rope, the regime has used it to hang Iranians; when given stones they have stoned people; when given guns, they have executed dissidents. What do you think the Islamic Regime will do were it to acquire nuclear weapons?
The Islamic Republic of Iran has developed a modern missile program and has tested their missiles in the Caspian Sea twice in the last eight years, launching ballistic missiles in a way to set off an EMP.
FP: What does the latest evidence tell us about Irans capabilities?
Ardestani: According to the latest figures on Irans nuclear progress released by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Irans stockpile of low-enriched uranium continues to grow, as does the capacity of the Natanz enrichment plant, where 8,000 gas centrifuges are currently installed.
Just a few weeks ago, a new enrichment plant near the city of Qum was announced as it had become clear that its existence had been discovered and was about to be exposed. New plants and facilities are being discovered in Iran every few months. Based on the IAEAs figures, I would say that Irans stockpile should be sufficient to fuel two nuclear weapons by the end of this year if the material were further processed to weapons-grade.
Furthermore, the Obama administration announced recently that it will scrap plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe put forward by former President George W. Bush. Irans missile capability appears to be a major factor in this shift. According to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Irans short and medium range missiles are developing more rapidly than previously projected, requiring a missile shield that relies on existing technology and can be put in place quickly.
In this context, it is crucial to understand both the current status of Irans missile arsenal, and how easily Iran could improve the range and accuracy of this arsenal. As a result, I believe that Iran could easily carry out an EMP attack.
FP: Which country is most threatened if Iran acquires nuclear weapons capability and perpetrates an EMP attack?
Ardestani: The first country to be put into clear and present danger by the acquisition of nuclear weapons and an EMP attack by the Islamic Theocracy in Iran is Israel and by default the United States in addition to all the other countries in the region.
FP: Have any actions been taken in this regard around the world?
Ardestani: Certainly. In September 2009 we had a national conference on the EMP threat in Niagra Falls, New York held by the EMPACT America organization.
FP: What is EMPACT?
Ardestani: EMPACT stands for EMP-Act. EMPACT America is a bipartisan, non-profit organization for citizens concerned about protecting the American People from a nuclear or natural electromagnetic pulse (EMP) catastrophe. Their web site is www.empactamerica.net
FP: Who were some of the speakers?
Ardestani: There were a whole range of highly qualified technical experts, scientists, political leaders and military authorities covering the issue from various angles. Notably I could name: former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, former Arkansas Governor Mike Hukabee, William Forstchen, Frank Gaffney, Larry Greenfield, Brigitte Gabriel, Clifford May, Roozbeh Farahanipour, Dr. V. Pry president of EMPACT America, Avi Schnurr and many others.
FP: What was the MPGs role in that conference?
Ardestani: Roozbeh Farahanipour, on behalf of the MPG Party, presented the Islamic Republics angle of this threat by discussing the nature, goals and capabilities of the regime. As an opposition party consisting mainly of younger generation Iranians, we have not only experienced first hand the nature of the regime, but have many concerned sources within Iranian institutions that convey their fears and concerns to us regularly.
FP: How can people educate themselves about EMP?
Ardestani: There is a lot of material on EMP on the internet which anybody can access and get familiar with. There are, of course, numerous academic and scientific sources which more technically educated people can use for research.
FP: What can concerned citizens do?
Ardestani: First of all, people should be aware of the concept of the threat and the fact that in todays world numerous enemies with EMP capabilities exist and more are relentlessly pursuing the technology.
Second, people should learn to relate major political, ideological and strategic developments in the world with the major technological and military capabilities at the disposal of forces and governments seeking the destruction of Western civilization and culture of freedom. Active and aggressive entities such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, North Korea and many others are prime candidates who have either acquired the EMP technology, are close to acquiring it or can be equipped with it by their more powerful patrons in short order.
People should also follow up with the activities of EMPACT through EmpactAmerica.net and keep themselves up to date.
FP: Hadi T. Ardestani, thank you for joining Frontpage Interview.
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You assume an emergency shutdown of the grid would prevent damage? This would work for common electrical grid mishaps as there is a single disruption that flows through the grid.
An EMP, even a poorly executed one, instantly affects an entire system within and potentially beyond line of sight. Anything designed to conduct electricity would probably fail, especially small electronics.
After many years in the military and now in law enforcement I cannot share your confidence that gov’t would be able to provide emergency notification to electric utilities that would allow any kind of shutdown prior to the event. Even assuming things functioned perfectly and the grid was shut down you don’t have to be that high off the coast of Virginia to affect most of the East Coast.
The decapitation attack we studied back in the Cold War would be the most likely EMP attack where a ship just off the coast launched with no warning.
There are many opinions about what the potential damage would or could be and that is why I said people need to understand the potential and take simple steps to prepare just like we are doing for an economic collapse or any natural or man-made disaster that may befall you and yours wherever you live.
EMP is real. The military trained for the use of small tactical nukes and one of the rules was no line of sight between the launching unit and the detonation. They told us that this could adversely affect our own vehicles and communications. That is a fact.
This is one of several potential attacks our nation could face. It does not hurt to understand what it is and what the aftermath of such an attack would be. If you want to ignore the whole subject or dismiss it as ridiculous that is certainly your right.
I believe in being prepared.
I have no financial interest in making people panic about this or any other disaster. I have spent plenty on the gear and supplies that I believe would see my family through any number of potential disasters.
I sleep better at night knowing that we can be much more self-sufficient should the unthinkable happen.
What does it hurt? Most of the stuff I have will last for decades and we cycle the food and water through our normal life as needed to prevent waste.
Very, very real threat.
It's disturbingly likely too.
(rimshot)
I'm wondering, do you know, if my 91 Buick Century would be ‘clear’? (I'm afraid it may not be free of electronics however,I hope to keep her running for another 10+ years - which may longer than I will! ;o)
I'm adding to my food stores as I can - and have plenty of wood ‘standing tall’ on my land. I need a winter hand pump for my well- but they are expensive. With that, I could go w/o electricity...but would like a generator.
The movie 2012 is coming out this week and people are already starting to panic: “The world's going to end!”
I hope to get most in my small community, at least, calmed down - this ‘panic’ could be far deeper than the Y2K.
I've studied pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas for decades and long familiar with the Mayan Calendar - and rather look forward to a new cycle of time - hopefully a bit more peaceful than the last 25,000 years. And that's all the year 2012 signifies (and coincides with the Hopi prophecy )- the turning into a new time cycle, same as into a new decade, a new century, a new millennium.
But I fear there will be widespread fear - for the overwhelming majority of people have no knowledge of what this cycle does and doesn't portend, but the news isn't disseminating the disclaimers of disaster that today's Mayan Wisdom Keepers are putting out. (”Calm down”) After all, having a panic on hand sells more newspapers.
So, once again, we'll see folk panic and prepare for the end of the world - only to wake up on 22 Dec, 2012 and see the breaking of just another day - but the run to store up food for the Y2K disaster may be nothing compared to 2012...as if we don't have enough to contend with with the coup-in-progress.
I see this morning that obummer is scrapping ALL proposed plans re Afghanistan - back to square one...and his disastrous delays and new ROE have already caused a terrible increase in KIA’s. (My dear g’son that grew up in my home spent a horrific 15 months there in 07-08 and is heading back next month. My heart aches for our troops having to fight the ‘enemy foreign AND domestic’ - May God curse the muzzie sympathizer/protector in the WH. (One can wonder if he has the same convictions as Hasan - and cannot send troops against ‘other’ muslims - jihardist muslims. After all, we are fighting to free/keep free millions of muslims from the extremists among them. Therefore, anyone with the mindset of Hasan, is in simpatico with the extremists?)
Pray for our troops. They bravely signed up to protect our shores from attack from without - only to have a traitor as CIC.
Sorry for getting off on a tangent - my heart is heavy with worry as I get Christmas boxes off to get to the ‘ghan in time.)
In the meantime, saving up for the winter pump. ;o)
Montana! How cold is it there now?
Here in Maine, we've had a mild week - Indian Summer - in the 50's day, will be dipping to freezing nights - so snow could start anytime now- and, of course, I'm not ready. Would rather not do winter this year - last winter was brutal and lugging in wood (without a woodshed to cover it) is getting hard on the ole granny. When the snow and ice get too high, I'll have to switch to the furnace. I much prefer the friendly wood heat - so does kitty.
Happy Thanksgtiving, RT.
We’ve had a beautiful autumn then yesterday we had one foot of snow and 15 degress the AM! I’m about half hour north of Yellowstone Park.
As fas as I understand, Isuzu’s were the only cars without electronics in the 90’s.
Yes we live in exciting times. Forces of darkness arrayed against forces of light. Which will win out?
I pray for the exposure of the fallen ones in positions of power, and most for true leaders to rise up and take their rightful places.
I believe, that a golden age will only come when we usher it in. Lots of work to do, but with God all things are possible.
I don’t think ther will be as much reaction for 2012 as there was for Y2K. Y2K was more scientific supposedly. But we’ll see.
Keep the faith over there in Maine!
EMP bump
does anyone know if this device could help in an EMP attack???
http://www.thefind.com/office/info-faraday-cage-shield
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