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Russia's missile shipment will embolden Syria

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 16:45
Russia's shipment of anti-ship missiles to Syria will "embolden" the regime and fuel the country's civil war, the US military's top officer said Friday. General Martin Dempsey's comments were the first official confirmation from the US government that Moscow had sent advanced "ship-killer" cruise missiles to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. "It is at the very least an unfortunate decision that will embolden the regime and prolong the suffering," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a news conference when asked about the reported shipment of missiles.

Russia says U.S. talks produced no progress on missiles

April 19, 2013 15:15
By Denis Dyomkin SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - Russia and the United States remain at odds over U.S. plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe following talks in Moscow this week with President Barack Obama's national security adviser, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. White House national security adviser Tom Donilon met Putin and senior Russian officials in the highest-level face-to-face talks since Obama began a new term in January at a time of tense relations with Moscow.

Pentagon requests more funding for Israel's 'Iron Dome'

April 16, 2013 18:46
The Pentagon has requested $220.3 million in 2014 to bolster Israel's "Iron Dome" missile defense system despite broader cuts to US military spending, according to budget documents. The US Missile Defense Agency also is asking for an additional $175.9 million in fiscal year 2015 for Israel's homegrown missile defense network, according to the agency's budget proposal posted online. The Pentagon already invested $204 million on the system in 2011 and $70 million in 2012.

Obama doubts N. Korea nuclear missile capability

April 16, 2013 10:31
US President Barack Obama said in an interview aired Tuesday that he did not believe North Korea could yet arm a missile with a nuclear warhead, but predicted new provocations from Pyongyang. Obama also said he hoped that the isolated state, which has rattled Asia with a string of provocative actions and bellicose rhetoric, would eventually stand down and use diplomacy to address its perceived grievances. The president was asked in the interview with NBC's Today Show whether Pyongyang currently had the capability to arm a ballistic missile with a nuclear bomb.

Polish president signs amendment to law to secure anti-missile defence program funds

April 15, 2013 14:54
Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski on Friday signed an amendment to guarantee funds for anti-missile defence program in Szypliszki, northeastern Poland. According to local media reports, the amendment to the law on rebuilding, technical modernization and financing armed forces will be in force from 2014 to 2023. It envisages that as part of 1.95 percent of GDP assigned every year in the budget for defence sums generated by economic growth will be assigned for equipping armed forces with anti-missile and anti-aircraft protection means. Komorowski said that the anti-miss

U.S. congressman who made North Korea nuclear comment opposes missile defence cuts

April 12, 2013 17:31
By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. congressman at the centre of an international furore over North Korea's nuclear capabilities is one of the leading voices in the House of Representatives against cutting the budget for missile systems. Republican Representative Doug Lamborn, whose Colorado district is a centre for U.S. missile defence, made headlines around the world on Thursday after he quoted the Defence Intelligence Agency as saying North Korea likely had a nuclear bomb that could be launched from a missile.

Tokyo tells planes to report to US military if near US base

April 12, 2013 15:01
Japan has ordered aircraft to report to the US military first if they enter airspace near the main US military base in Okinawa, a report said early Saturday after fresh North Korean threats. The transport ministry notice issued late Friday was believed to be part of precautions against possible North Korean missile launches, Kyodo News agency reported. The order refers to airspace within 30 kilometres (20 miles) of the Kadena base where Patriot missiles have been deployed.

Magnitsky fallout may harm missile progress as U.S. talks to Putin

April 12, 2013 13:16
By Gabriela Baczynska MOSCOW (Reuters) - Hope that a shift in U.S. missile defence strategy will improve relations with Russia risks being undermined by a fresh flare-up over human rights when President Barack Obama's top security aide visits Moscow on Monday. A change in U.S. plans for an anti-missile shield in Europe has cracked the door open for compromise on an issue that has badly strained relations between the nuclear-armed former Cold War foes.

North Korea has not shown nuclear missile capability - White House

April 12, 2013 13:15
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday that North Korea had not demonstrated the capability to deploy a nuclear-armed missile. President Barack Obama's press secretary, Jay Carney, echoed other senior U.S. officials who have pushed back against an assessment from the Pentagon's intelligence agency that the North, which has issued shrill threats against Washington and its allies, had a nuclear missile capacity. "North Korea has not demonstrated the capability to deploy a nuclear-armed missile," Carney told reporters.

N. Korea likely capable of firing nuclear-armed missiles-US

April 12, 2013 12:25
The US military’s spy agency believes North Korea likely has the ability to place a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile but the weapon may not be reliable, a US lawmaker said Thursday, quoting from the intelligence assessment.
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