Israel test launches nuclear-capable missile

[Gromit]

Israel has carried out the successful test launch of a long-range, ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, in what was intended as a clear show of strength to Iran.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jse ssionid=GJQIKPD0E010DQFIQMGSFFWAVCBQWIV0?xml=/ news/2008/01/18/wmid218.xml

Would any other non-signatory to the "Nuclear non proliferation treaty" get away such actions.

[4GS]

How about North Korea? Did they sign the treaty?

[Lonnie]

Sorry Gromit, I took this from the article, and just may be one of the reasons for the test.


Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, often hints at the destruction of Israel and in his latest speech, given before news of the test launch, he again attacked the Jewish state.

"The Zionist regime ... would not dare attack Iran," he said, "The Iranian response would make them regret it, and they know this."

[jonnythebosh]

Can you blame them? They have got an Islamic nutter who has pledged to wipe them off the face of the Earth just round the corner, who is developing "Nuclear Power". I would be more concerned with Iran than Israel. The fact is that after going into Iraq and Afghanistan on false pretences, the Yanks will not be able to take on Iran in a legitimate campaign to stop them developing nuclear weapons, so Israel will do it by proxy. And i don't blame them.

[kwicky]

I wonder how the new government of Iraq would respond to long range missiles flying over their country on the way to Iran?

[Clanad]

I'm not so sure that the test wasn't also meant as a clear message to Russian President Putin, who has been quite bold in his support for Iran's nuclear program. To this point, no one except the U.S. (and it's allies in Europe) had the ability to attack the Russian motherland. I'm sure Putin has taken appropriate notice...

Additionally, Israel has never admitted having nuclear capabilities... not so much, in my opinion, for secrecy, because everyone assumes they have it, but more to keep everyone guessing... Egypt, Syria, Iran and even the bankers in Saudi Arabia have to always consider the ultimate consequences of another 6 Day War type attack...