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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

Read Debates, a new Web-only feature culled from Readers' Opinions, published every Thursday.

almarst2002 - 12:47am Feb 16, 2003 EST (# 8973 of 8981)

Tired of Being Lied to - This war is about oil and regional control. - http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=51&ItemID=3052

UN permission for America's war will not make the war legitimate; it merely proves that the Council can be controlled with bribes, threats or abstentions.

almarst2002 - 12:52am Feb 16, 2003 EST (# 8974 of 8981)

Police fire tear gas, rubber bullet at Colorado Springs war protest - http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/america_at_war/article/0,1299,DRMN_2116_1748278,00.html

"The current administration is using fear tactics and the threat of perpetual war to control the American public,"

lchic - 02:21am Feb 16, 2003 EST (# 8975 of 8981)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Then - halfway and back

http://freespace.virgin.net/james_fraser.marshall/Marillion/FishSolo/Albums/Vigil/Company.htm

Now

"If the United States marches 200,000 troops into the region and then marches them back out . . .

lchic - 05:56am Feb 16, 2003 EST (# 8976 of 8981)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

"" 12 years on, Kuwaitis pray that the Americans will finally topple Saddam. But many here also recall an old saying that no military plan ever survives first contact with the enemy.

http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s783164.htm

lchic - 06:01am Feb 16, 2003 EST (# 8977 of 8981)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Iraq

""Australia says North Korea will ignore world opinion if the UN is weak with Iraq.

http://abc.net.au/asiapacific/specials/iraq/default.htm

lchic - 06:12am Feb 16, 2003 EST (# 8978 of 8981)
~~~~ It got understood and exposed ~~~~

Iraq - chronology

Before 1993 | Saddam Hussein took power in Iraq in June 1979. Fifteen months later he invaded neighbouring Iran. Two years later, Iraq invades Kuwait.

1993 | The UN imposes "no-fly" zones in the north and south of the country. Iraq refuses to let inspectors monitor missile sites.

1995 | Iraq admits the existence of a biological weapons program.

1996 | The US presents the UN with evidence Iraq is smuggling petroleum products through the Persian Gulf. UN approves sale of some Iraqi oil.

1998 | Evidence continues to be found that Iraq is smuggling oil out of the country. The UN Security Council threatens Iraq with the "severest consequences" if it violates agreements, but does not authorize an automatic military response. Inspectors are blocked and the US launches four-day Operation Desert Fox. Inspectors are withdrawn.

2000 | Hans Blix appointed to head UNMOVIC. Further examples of Iraqi oil being smuggled come to light. Iraq announces it will not co-operate with UNMOVIC.

2001 | US and British aircraft strike Iraqi air defence targets near Baghdad.

2002 | US President George W Bush describes Iraq, Iran and North Korea as "an axis of evil". Under growing international pressure, Iraq announces it will accept the unconditional return of UN weapons inspectors, but two weeks later, refuses to accept new conditions for inspections. There is general opposition in the Security Council to war, but the US and Britain say they'll go it alone. Weapons inspectors return to work in Iraq.

2003 | The US and Britain deploy thousands of troops in the Middle East. Hans Blix reports "no smoking guns" in his search for Iraqi weapons. Strong opposition around the world to a war not sanctioned by the UN. Australia sends its first batch of an expected 1500 troops to the Persian Gulf region.

http://abc.net.au/asiapacific/specials/iraq/chronology/default.htm

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