India Dragged Into NATO’s Ballistic Missile Shield Controversy

In 1999 and 2001, the US National Intelligence Council stated that Iran could develop an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the United States by 2015. In recent years, U.S. government agencies have affirmed those estimates, arguing that “Iran could have long-range missiles capable of reaching to U.S. and Europe before 2015” and proposed U.S. missile defence assets in Europe to defend the U.S. and Europe against long-range ballistic missile threats emanating from the Middle East.”
The European component of the US Missile Defence System is one of the major irritants in the US-Russian relations. The American administration insists it is aimed to counter threats coming from Iran and North Korea. The Russians respond that geography, laws of physics and irrefutable facts clearly indicate that the system is targeting Russia, not Iran.
Almost a decade after Washington proposed deploying a base in Europe, American and NATO officials are slated to declare operational...