Satellite.

This is coolbert:

These are alarming headlines?

"Iran launches homegrown satellite"

And from the Chicago Tribune today:

"NATION & WORLD"

"Iran rockets to space age"

"Satellite launch raises military concerns"

“BEIRUT - - Iran announced its first successful satellite launch Tuesday, a step into the space age as well a a showy demonstration of firepower amid continued concerns about the Islamic republic’s nuclear program”

“Since Sputnik, space programs have served as a way to test and showcase missile range, a fact U.S. officials highlighted.”

Iran has now joined a very select club. Nations that have the capacity to place a satellite into orbit around the earth.

That a nation acquires such a capability usually generates a lot of interest. There is a VERY SIGNIFICANT MILITARY ASPECT TO THIS EVENT? Especially when accomplished by a nation that desires atomic weaponry.

Demonstrably, the Iranians now have worldwide reach for their desired atomic arsenal!!

The combination of missiles that have an intercontinental capability [placing a satellite into orbit indicates that such a capability exists?] and atomic weaponry allows the Iranian, even if tacitly, to threaten any point or place on the planet! The threat exists, even if not specifically enunciated.

I recall very well the launching, in 1957, of the first Sputnik. The Soviet artificial satellite that stunned the American nation in a VERY MAJOR WAY!! An event that was considered to be so significant that the broadcast of the World Series had to be interrupted for the announcement to be made to the American public. Indeed, the entire nature of warfare as understood up that point [1957] was radically altered by the Soviets placing an artificial satellite in orbit around the earth?

From the Penskovskiy Papers, warfare radically altered in that:

"wars formerly began on the borders of warring countries, where troops were concentrated . . . 'If war starts now, military actions will evolve in a different way because countries have available means of delivering weapons over thousands of kilometers'"

Weapons, specifically, NUCLEAR WEAPONS!!!

"The launch doesn’t alter the region’s strategic calculus Iran has long had missiles that can reach Israel.”

NO, NOT THE REGIONAL CALCULUS!! MUCH MORE THAN THAT!! A CALCULUS THAT NOW HAS A WORLD-WIDE DIMENSION!!??

coolbert.