Southwest Asia

A group of 12 prominent Russian and US scientists concluded that Iran would need six to eight years to develop a ballistic missile that could carry a 1,000kg payload 2,000km. The unprecedented study was commissioned as tensions between Washington and Moscow grew amid George W. Bush’s plan to install a missile defence shield in Europe. Retired General James Jones, now the US national security adviser, was one of the leading proponents of the study before he entered the government.

A report on Iran's nuclear capabilities, released earlier in May 2009 by the EastWest Institute think tank, said that "with the components and technologies it now has, Iran could hypothetically build missiles with a range of 3,000km or more".

But the group said it would be at least another 10 to 15 years before Iran developed advanced intermediate-range ballistic missiles or intercontinental ballistic missiles to carry nuclear warheads.

(CBS/AP) - Iran's nuclear and missile programs have alarmed Israel. The country's new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pressed Obama to step up pressure on Tehran when the two met in Washington on Monday. Israeli officials had no immediate comment on the Iranian missile launch.

Moshe Arens, a former Israeli defense minister who trained in the U.S. as an aerospace engineer, said Wednesday's test was apparently part of Iran's broader quest to develop more advanced missiles and nuclear capability...The study published by the nonpartisan EastWest Institute also said Iran is making advances in rocket technology and could develop a ballistic missile capable of firing a 2,200-pound nuclear warhead up to 1,200 miles "in perhaps six to eight years."

The EastWest Institute, a nonpartisan organization which focuses on global challenges, said it brought six U.S. experts and six Russian experts together for the first time to produce a joint threat assessment on Iran's nuclear and missile potential. It said key conclusions were presented in February to U.S. National Security Advisor, Gen. James Jones, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev...

The EastWest Institute says Iran could build a nuclear weapon in one to three years, but it would take up to 15 to develop long-range technology that would pose a threat to the West.

A report by a group of Russian and American scientists and engineers at the EastWest Institute concludes that although Iran could build a nuclear device within one to three years of deciding to do so, it would not be able to deliver a long-range weapon for many more years. The scientists also say that a U.S. missile defense system being considered for Central Europe would be useless against an Iranian nuclear weapon.

The anti-ballistic missile system, which the US wants to use to protect itself and Europe from a possible strike from Iran, is not up for the job, a joint US-Russian threat assessment says. The report, published on Tuesday by the non-partisan independent think-tank EastWest Institute, is the result of one year of work by both American and Russian scientists and missile experts. It provides an estimate of Iranian present and future capabilities to produce a nuclear warhead and a delivery device to attack Europe or the continental US as well as the proposed anti-missile system’s ability to counter such an attack....

Press TV - Tue, 19th May 2009 A new study by a US-based think tank questions the effectiveness of Washington's planned anti-missile defense system in Eastern Europe. "The Obama administration should conduct a serious technical review of the capabilities claimed for the proposed European missile defense system," said a study published by the New York-based EastWest Institute.

The study, "Iran's Nuclear and Missile Potential", both undermines the plans, proposed by former US President George W. Bush and the likelihood of an "imminent" attack from Iran.

A team of US and Russian technical experts want to put the kibosh on US plans for putting a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

There are two angles to this story: first, it's an important step in rebuilding relations with Russia -- or pushing the famous "reset" button -- which is a big step in itself. Second, it's part of a judicious and careful Obama opening to Iran, downgrading the alleged threat from that country, and boosting chances that the opening might succeed.

The stated goal of the United States in pushing for an anti-missile missile system in Poland and the Czech Republic is to protect Europe against nuclear attacks from Iran or other "rogue states." But a joint analysis by top U.S. and Russian scientists has concluded the system as proposed wouldn't be able to do that, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The EastWest Institute, an independent think tank based in Moscow, New York and Belgium, determined that no missile threat from Iran to Europe is imminent within the next five years because Tehran doesn't possess the technical prowess and won't for at least six to eight years.