Conservative Papa

Launch of Israeli spy sattelite on the missile Shavit (not the launch reported below.) Source: Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) via Wikipedia.

AFP: Israel test-fires ballistic missile after Iran warning
Israel test-fires ballistic missile after Iran warning

6 hours ago

JERUSALEM AFP — Israel successfully test-fired a long-range ballistic missile on Thursday, a senior official told AFP, days after warning “all options” were open to prevent archfoe Iran from obtaining atomic weapons.

“We successfully test-fired a two-staged ballistic missile system today,” a senior defence ministry official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“This was a very important achievement for Israels ballistic capabilities,” he added, declining to provide further details on the test.

Witnesses reported seeing a trail of smoke rising from the reported launch site at the Palmachin air base south of Tel Aviv.

The official said that contrary to some media reports, the test-firing was not linked to Israels development of a multi-layered defence system, dubbed the “Iron Dome” and aimed at intercepting rockets and missiles.

Israel has in recent years concentrated efforts on countering the threat of missile attacks from neighbouring Arab states and Iran, which has itself conducted several long-range missile tests.

Israel is currently thought to be developing the Jericho-3 ground-to-ground missile that can be equipped with a nuclear, chemical or biological warhead and could have a range of up to 4,500 kilometres 2,800 miles.

Peter Wehner on Mike Huckabee & 2008 & Foreign Affairs on National Review Online
The Problem With Pastor Mike
Foreign-policy foolishness just wont suffice.By Peter Wehner

Former Arkansas governor and Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee has written an article for Foreign Affairs magazine, the first two paragraphs of which are stunningly silly, misguided, and unfortunately for Huckabee, deeply revealing.

The two opening paragraphs read this way:

The United States, as the worlds only superpower, is less vulnerable to military defeat. But it is more vulnerable to the animosity of other countries. Much like a top high school student, if it is modest about its abilities and achievements, if it is generous in helping others, it is loved. But if it attempts to dominate others, it is despised.

American foreign policy needs to change its tone and attitude, open up, and reach out. The Bush administrations arrogant bunker mentality has been counterproductive at home and abroad. My administration will recognize that the United States main fight today does not pit us against the world but pits the world against the terrorists. At the same time, my administration will never surrender any of our sovereignty, which is why I was the first presidential candidate to oppose ratification of the Law of the Sea Treaty, which would endanger both our national security and our economic interests.

The above quote (except for the last two sentences) really makes me wonder about Mike Huckabee. A perusal of this page from the Huckabee campaign site might depict some fence-straddling positions.

Fred Thompson was my main hope when he announced his candidacy a few months ago. I hadn’t really considered Huckabee until his recent surge brought him to the fore. There is a lot I like about him — on the surface at least. Statements such as the above erode his conservative appearance. Maybe I’ll vote for Thompson, instead. I have a lot of studying to do before next month’s presidential preference vote!

Mideasterners Address Iranian Nuclear Crisis - HUMAN EVENTS
Biltaji favors a two part solution. First, he encourages the west led by the US to conduct a surgical strike to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Second, the West must create a model state in Iraq. Biltaji believes a robust Iraqi economy and reliable public services would convince the Iranian public to shun Islamic radicalism in favor of the benefits of freedom they see next door.

This is just a snip from a very interesting article featuring interviews with Israeli and Jordanian experts who believe Iran is anywhere from 2 to 10 years from building an atomic weapon. I chose this quote, because it also underscores the importance of the US presence in Iraq. Be sure to read the entire article!