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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

lunarchick - 04:34pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8791 of 8804)
lunarchick@www.com

http://www.nytimes.com/images/2001/09/11/nyregion/11CND-CRASH_lapse_sm.jpg

lunarchick - 04:42pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8792 of 8804)
lunarchick@www.com

What will be America’s response? If US officials can identify the perpetrators, or even make a plausible guess, the response is likely to be swift and severe. Like the Israeli government, America’s will be anxious to demonstrate that any such attack will be met with a tough military reply. But who to attack? The Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalists who rule Afghanistan and shelter Mr bin Laden, quickly issued a denial that they were involved. Even if the US finds evidence, or persuades itself, that Mr bin Laden and his followers are the culprits, bombing that country is unlikely to be very satisfying, or effective.

War-torn Afghanistan is already a ruin, one of the poorest countries on earth. America bombed Mr bin Laden’s camps in Afghanistan after the East African bombings—as well as a pharmaceuticals factory in Sudan that it said was manufacturing and storing chemical weapons for terrorists—but such actions seem to have had little effect. American military planners may also be debating whether to put American troops into Afghanistan temporarily to hunt down Mr bin Laden and his cronies. But such a move has enormous risks, not only of casualties, but also of tipping neighbouring Pakistan into chaos.

ledzeppelin - 04:44pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8793 of 8804)

Firstly I have just watched the most awful and tragic events in New York and Washington unfold on my television set and my heartfelt condolences and sympathies go out to all in the US especially those whom have lost family members and friends. I can but pray that those whom have brought about these most monstrous of atrocities be brought swiftly to justice without delay or mercy.

Secondly for several months now it has been oft reported in the Middle East that the likes of Osama bin Laden have been attending meetings in the likes of Sharjah and Pakistan and the Yemen? In addition, it is often forgotten that the bin Laden family had substantial financial interests in US airports, therefore Bin Laden would have unprecedented access to priviledged information about the airports and their operations? Indeed Salem, Osama’s elder brother died in a micro light accident at a US airshow at a US airport a decade ago now! Whilst it is self evidently far too early to point fingers at potential suspects. Given the level of sophistication and the training required for suicide bombers whom can also pilot commercial aircraft whatismore the substantive funding required to achieve this most evil of terrorist acts. One finds it hard not to draw conclusions even at this stage, as to whom could be responsible for this ungodly carnage. Indeed the Taliban government spokesperson in Pakistan would not be telling lies by stating as they did no one currently in Afghanistan was responsible, because bin Laden is not currently there?

almarst-2001 - 05:28pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8794 of 8804)

A very sad day indeed.

This is the first time the US citizens experienced the effects of a bombing a civilian population on a least possible scale - somthing they cheared during 78 days and nights just a short time ago.

What lesson wil be learned?

rshowalter - 05:33pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8795 of 8804)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

We have to hope that the right lesson can be learned. That bombing is terrible -- that death of innocents is bad - - and to be avoided.

That is a lesson that need to be sensibly discussed, among Americans, and internationally, as well.

armel7 - 05:48pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8796 of 8804)
Science/Health Forums Host

Hi, all. I, like you, can think of nothing else beside the tragedy today. There has been a forum established for discussion of the WTC/pentagon attacks: rebecca_nyt "Thousands Feared Dead in U.S. Attacks" 9/11/01 5:16pm

Let's please try to maintain order here and keep this on MD issues.

Your host,
Michael Scott Armel

lunarchick - 07:33pm Sep 11, 2001 EST (#8797 of 8804)
lunarchick@www.com

Maintain order! Yes. That's what this thread had been attempting to do for a year, to look at MD issues and ask why haven't those COLD WAR nukes been taken down. Why are they dressed for war each and every night at a total cost of $30billion p.a. year in, year out.

The WHAT IF ? this board has been concerned with it. What if Missiles had been used. Would there be an evening, night and tomorrow?

On an international basis the long haul flights from the USA are just in .. landing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, people are told before getting off the plane ... they don't take it in .. a resident of down town NY engages a reporter .. "What exactly has happened. My family work in the world trade building." The reporter spells out the events "Is there a casualty list - are there names?" .. the enormity of events begins to register. The man starts to cry, he break down. "There's no one to help me he says" .. he needs to make a call. / The flight crews make their way to their hotels .. they huddle round tv monitors - feeling very afraid.

In New York and Washington civil organisations will have orphans to tend to, children waiting for parents to put a key in the lock and open the door.

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Alex you're saying that for 78 days the Americans bombed Kosova. The enormity of events affecting people on the ground, loss of life, loss of infrastructure .. wasn't then fully comprehended by USA nighttime news voyeurs.

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