In the “bark is worse than its bite” category, the New York Times has an awesome web piece today on the apparent manipulation of yesterday’s Iran missile shoot.
Of course the event got everybody up in a lather about Iran’s capability and came darn close to a signing ceremony with SecState Rice and the Czech foreign minister on missile defense cooperation. But to me they sort of looked like ‘50s-era model rockets. Whoooo…scaaaaary.…
[Photo from New York Times online.]
Anyway, sharp-eyed photogs have noticed that the smoke billowing from the launch can be attributed to three rockets, not four. And a photo later distributed by the AP shows three rockets with a fourth launcher that looks like it might have been a dud (or another Photoshopped image).
As news spread across the world of Irans provocative missile tests, so did an image of four missiles heading skyward in unison. Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a point that had not emerged before the photo appeared on the front pages of The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times, The Chicago Tribune and several other newspapers as well as on BBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo! News, NYTimes.com and many other major news Web sites.
Agence France-Presse said that it obtained the image from the Web site of Sepah News, the media arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, on Wednesday. But there was no sign of it there later in the day. Today, The Associated Press distributed what appeared to be a nearly identical photo from the same source, but without the fourth missile…
For its part, Agence France-Presse retracted its four-missile version this morning, saying that the image was apparently digitally altered by Iranian state media. The fourth missile has apparently been added in digital retouch to cover a grounded missile that may have failed during the test, the agency said.
So, looks as if the Iranians are trying to get a rise out of America and the Europeans with a little artistic license, I guess. And one has to wonder whether that country’s threats are really credible.
– Christian
ROTFLMAO!!!
I don’t know what’s funnier –the Iranians trying it in the first place, or the media lapping it up and getting duped. This is rich.
Thanks for the laugh, I needed it!
“We will wipe Israel off the map… with PHOTOSHOP!”
Yeah I thought they looked like old rockets too, like a german V2, older than shit. No wonder they have a 25% misfire rate, I think the Germans had a better success rate almost a century ago.
I don’t know what’s funnier though, this or the used family jet skiing boat charging at a destroyer saying
IF YOU BOTHER WATCHING THE BBC YOU WILL SEE THE 3 MISSILES FIRED AT ONCE AND THEN THE 4TH BY IT SELF.
Jeff,
As laughable as the idea of off the shelf speedboat attacks is, at least those work in the real world. Personally, I think their swarm tactics do have some validity. THey only have to be lucky once. We have to be lucky all the time.
All we have to do is look at the Cole. It doesn’t take all that much to punch a hole in the sides of one of our warships.
In the mean time, though, it looks like the Iranians need to either spend more on their photoshop techs, or get their missiles to actually work. And a whole lot of editors need to get their @$$es chewed for being total morons.
If you look at the top image the three real missiles seem to be at a higher altitude than in the lower image. The plumes of the missiles are different, and the sky in the second image is noticeably bluer which explains the bluish halo around the Photoshopped missile.
My guess is that the fourth missile fired late and someone wanted four missiles at once and that’s what they got.
Reminicent of the photoshopped additional smoke over civilian areas from the most recent Israel/Hamas entanglement…however those were done by “reputable” AP contributors.
As to credibility, it would depend, I guess, if you were the target
I think a first strike vy the mad mullahs with hundreds of them missiles could smash US assets in the gulf though — what can the Americans do to defend against them? Do they have BMD capable ships in the gulf at the moment — i would imagine they have one or two but is that enough? What do the countries housing the American forces in the region do — do they join in and pound Iran back with America or just give US consent to use the bases to attack Iran? Do the Iranians have those Sunburn missiles to and if so are they able to shoot them down? Can’t DT do a feture on assets in the region and what dort of firepower/tech they have.
So, they demonstrate to the world that they have at most 75% reliable launch technology, while casting doubt on the quality of the warheads themselves, never mind for that matter, the targetting systems that are controlling them.
“Look ma, I made a stink bomb!“
I can’t believe they tried photoshopping the image. Don’t they watch western TV? Oh, right..
Many of your readers will probably not agree, but this saddens me personally. A credible threat might be all required to keep America from another bloody and expensive war in the pursuit of oil.
Anyone who believes Iran is a conventional military threat to the US is MORON or a warmonger. The US could destroy Iran over a weekend, but that would be unproductive or even counterproductive.
If Iran and Israel want to go at it, or even better exchange nukes, then fine, but keep the US out of their pissing contests. It feels a lot like India and Pakistan during the 1990’s.
Can’t wait for the comments from the usual suspects.
“If Iran and Israel want to go at it, or even better exchange nukes, then fine,…“
Well, isn’t that special. Got any more deep thinking, brainiac? How about this: go to a map and look at that huge stretch between Israel and Iran and noodle REAL HAAARD, and come back and tell us what country lies between Israel and Iran.
It might have been in the news. The location might also be pretty tough to keep the US out of a Iran-Israel nuclear holocaust, seeing as how there is an undisclosed number of American tourists in that magical, unknown nation somewhere in the middle east.
“‘50s-era model rockets. Whoooo…scaaaaary.…“
Considering our current force of Minuteman III ICBM’s were built in the 60’s, I would not be one to discredit the threat posed by ballistic missiles based on their age.
Brad, I was waiting for that smart ass response. Thanks.
Think I don’t know where US troops are: Surrounding Iran on many sides. Can Iran kill people, yes, are they a threat, no, are they annoying, yes.
Israel is not a US colony. Iran and Israel will have to learn MAD, once they go on the brink a few times. Everyone else has, oh I FORGOT, Iran is Islamic, and that means suicidal and aggressive. Iran wants to take over the world.
Iran is not the Soviet Union, and not Hitler’s Germany. But Iran is the big power in the Middle East, since the US removed Saddam.
Photo-shopping the launch is well in character for the Iranians. Thier propaganda folks basically follow the old USSR model of distributing news of perfect results for every type of military, or scientific test to both their internal audience and to the international press.
The photoshopping may be funny to us, but it achieved at least one of it’s goals.
For two days in a row the price of crude oil had been dropping on the market, then they release the altered photo. As of the close of the markets (NYSE) on the day after the release it, the price of of crude oil had jumped by more than $5.50 a barrel.
An economic attack can be just as damaging, if not more so, than a physical attack. And remember, even though Iran hates Isrial, they still consider the US to be the “Great Satan”.
Just my opinion, and you’re welcome to disagree.
“Israel is not a US colony. Iran and Israel will have to learn MAD, once they go on the brink a few times.“
MAD was based on the doctrine of Massive Retaliation; the Red Army invades Europe, NATO tactically nukes the Red Army to equalize strength. Ie based on credible and extreme counter-response to aggression. No massive retaliation, no MAD (hint on why: because they can still fight out WWIII or whatever in the Israeli-Iranian case).
Really, if you are concerned about keeping the peace, this loose trash is garbage. What happens if Israel and Iran fight a full scale air and rocket war over the entire Middle East that is any different than if the US just bellies up and rains bombs, other than the US strike will cost a fraction of the lives as a full-on war (even conventional)?
Israel and Iran fight, oil skyrockets again, but this time oil production of the ENTIRE middle east, from Iraq to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states are in play.
Every downside to an airstrike on Iran is, by definition, the same as an air-WAR. This stuff is not hard. Try to keep up with the class.
And for the record, thousands of dead American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines through Iranian proxies is many things. Annoying isn’t one of them.
Israel is not a US colony. Iran and Israel will have to learn MAD, once they go on the brink a few times. Everyone else has, oh I FORGOT, Iran is Islamic, and that means suicidal and aggressive. Iran wants to take over the world.
Iran is not the Soviet Union, and not Hitler’s Germany. But Iran is the big power in the Middle East, since the US removed Saddam.
thus saying that you have proven to have no clue as to the intentions of irans mullahs, or the may muslim leaders around the world.…in the the koran may like amadinajad find the reason to want the caliphate islamic empire the prophet commands to spread the message by sword and fire…so realy they just want bunnies yes yes thats it..
and think about it this way who sponsors hezzballah hamas many insurgents in iraq?…
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/
also the first ppls to come out with the story realy.
The Pentagon Brass and Sec Def agrees with me, so therefore we must know something, you don’t, like context, strategic thinking, and the limits of US military power. I follow Adm Fallon’s thinking on this one, too bad he got canned recently for knocking Bush and the neo-con warmongers.
Iran is engaged in a low level proxy war with Israel and the US in Iraq, for sure, and maybe even against the Sunni Arabs; which is quite brilliant on their part. I guess we need to bomb Iran, after all, so they will stop.
MAD does not apply yet, because only Israel and the US have nukes and the capability to deliver them, which is why Iran is trying to get that capability as well. A balance of power was needed, or as some see it, a stalemate, better known as a Mid East Cold War.
Economic sanctions are the most counter– productive tactic ever conceived, and no can stop Iran from getting nukes without ground troops invading Iran; so I already accept a nuclear Iran as an outcome. Everyone with a brain knows that is the case. That is why I laugh at the recent childish and irresponsible war games, and all of the apocalyptic nonsense of a soon to be nuclear Iran.
No nukes means you get invaded, having nukes means you get respect and go to the bargaining table with the big powers instead. What is so irrational about that? “But Iran is different, they’re Islamic!“
An unstable nuclear Pakistan is the biggest danger, not a nuclear Iran.
When is someone going to respond with an argument I have never heard before? It is always the same myopic thinking, and the usual pro Israel neo-con talking points. How about an Iranian ‘24’ scenario or something cool?
Scare tactic or real threat.One missile hit & wham 10.00 at the pump.
or worse.
Scary indeed.
Time to send a carrier to Indian Gulf & ready some B2s in Turkey for missions.
Or use No Vietnam for base.
I support Israel move on missiles.
If scam some scam.
Good Evening Folks,
Note to the DoD and Fox News there is a big difference between 1200 miles and 1200 km.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner
“A balance of power was needed, or as some see it, a stalemate, better known as a Mid East Cold War.“
Winner! Of the dumbest statement on the internet.
A balance of power? I believe we had that with Saddam and Iran. Look how well that turned out.
When exactly did the JCS applaud the start of your Middle East Cold War? Was I sleeping? Name one senior member of the US government (hell name one JUNIOR member of the US government) or military that thinks an Iranian bomb was a great idea.
THere is none, you moron. Neither Gates nor the JCS agree with you.
Kind of pointless to argue with you, HPC. You cannot reason someone out of a position that they have never been reasoned into; your sublime idiocy though is high comedy. Keep it up. Senior year must be only seven to eight years away for you; where are you taking your sister, which Coney Island?
I find this absolutely fascinating that such a launch could have been faked. But im not to sure, im staying mutual on this. Its increasingly worrying, i just hope this is solved peacefully. We are already heading into a recession.
Not what anyone wants, but will get. It is called REALITY. The US invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, and negotiated with North Korea. Why does Iran want and will get nukes again?
No one is really in favor of a Mid East cold war, but that is what will happen, since no one can stop Iran from getting them. Without a ground invasion from the US, threating Iran to stop is a waste of time. Anyway, Nukes end hot wars, because the consequence are too severe, even for crazy religious leaders in Iran, Israel, and the US.
Google it, all are on video. Gates, Gen. Fallon, Mullen, Casey, Cartwright, Conway, Schoomaker, Pace.….The list is so long.
Only the Conservative think tanks and the Jewish lobby are in your Iran is evil, let’s attack, camp.
A small taste of rationality. So much is out there. We are just naive.
http://www.thomaspmbarnett.com/movabletype/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=iran
http://www.esquire.com/features/fox-fallon?click=main_sr
http://www.defenselink.mil/
It’s just mind-boggling that people care about the pictures rather than the actual capability missiles.
Never mind reality, what do they say on television?
Whatever it takes to try and convince the big infidel of the power that they have…
Now you you sure that the NY Times didn’t Photoshop the photo?
Three, four, it really does not matter. If just ONE reaches Israel, Iran will be turned into a solid glass runway/motor pool. The only PGM
It almost appears that the entire thing is photoshopped. The smoke plumes and trails seem very computer generated.
Another thing, the picture is just a picture. What can it do? Who knows maybe seconds after it had been taken all of them exploded. This proves nothing.
you guys are right, i bet iran doesn’t even have any missiles! i bet we or israel could blow up their nuke sites and iran wouldn’t retaliate! or at least, their retaliation wouldn’t spark a regional conflict. and we will be greeted with roses in iraq. and the afghanis love it when we blow up their weddings. and the US economy is in fine shape, and we all need to stop being such “whiners.” and retroactive immunity for telecoms isn’t a Constitutionally prohibited ‘ex post facto’ law. and the law still exists. and the Constitution is still in effect. how’s things in fantasy land?
“you guys are right, i bet iran doesn’t even have any missiles! i bet we or israel could blow up their nuke sites and iran wouldn’t retaliate! or at least, their retaliation wouldn’t spark a regional conflict. and we will be greeted with roses in iraq. and the afghanis love it when we blow up their weddings. and the US economy is in fine shape, and we all need to stop being such “whiners.” and retroactive immunity for telecoms isn’t a Constitutionally prohibited ‘ex post facto’ law. and the law still exists. and the Constitution is still in effect. how’s things in fantasy land?“
You seem to be some kind of retard / spastic.
Please go and be a human shield at the Iranian nuke facilities or just simply go die in a fire.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration cannot be trusted to do what it says. Iraq taught us that lesson.
“On ne donne rien si liberalement que ses conseils.“
But it is the man who follows his own counsel, he’s the one that should lead.
“Unfortunately, the Bush administration cannot be trusted to do what it says. Iraq taught us that lesson.“
So whats the plan when Obama gets into office? What will you do if the stance toward Iran does not change with Obama comming into office? Will you still blame big bad George for everything? I’m just curious as to how you think his replacement will handle it and how will you feel when Obama’s administration gets it wrong and makes mistakes because we all know that goverments are not immune to making mistakes.
I get the feeling that once Bush is gone and things still go wrong the Bush haters will be silent in thier outrage toward the Obama administration and when Obama takes the same stance toward Iran that evil George has, and we all know he will what will the haters say then? Its gonna be fun watching the future unfold from the other side of the big pond…
I wouldn’t “piss” on Iran just yet. We already underestimated the rabble in Iraq and look where we are.
Israel will strike first as in the six day war
Israel will strike first as in the six day war
If they got fake missles, then we can blow up their fake cities, with our fake missles. That way nobody gets hurt.
My questions would be
1. Will Obama cut missile defense like he says he will and whether Europe will now get on board with stationing defense systems in Europe. Will the signals he makes be as important as his eventual policies?
2. Will the intelligence community here admit they were off base with their last NIE report? a. where did Iran make their carbon based centrifuges b Iranian resistance group has pointed to a new facility that is engaged in warheads design c. Europe and others didn’t buy their last report as well as failure to mention our invasion of Iraq had anything to do with the claimed stopping of Iran’s weaponization program.
3. Will the Democrat insist on a quick exit from Iraq and let the weapon spiral get out of hand prompting pre-emption by Israel (see Obama’s support of feather weight sanctions but not the Kyl bill and tougher international sanctions).
4. Who will win in the great debate about future US military strategy as Pakistan and Iran present situations very different than conventional conflicts.
5. What pressure will evolve internationally to thwart the growing dangers in Iran, Pakistan and even the efforts of China (see anti ship ballistic missile), Pakistan (see neutron bombs). Iran (see ballistic missiles, WMD, terrorism), Syria (see WMD), Russia (see maneuverable warheads), Hugo and other Latin American friends (see base of operation for future clandestine terrorism).
I think these questions are connected to these launches. While Iran is still a ways away from actionable threats, they are moving closer.
Of course it’s fake it’s Iran.
I suppose the CIA or DIA would have real good satellite surveillance of the whole scene.
What Does Iran Want?
What would you do if you were the president of Iran?
I think more than anything to be able to defend their country. Iran wants the same things as Israel, security. Who can they trust?
They remember 1979; Arabic nations who supported Iraq against Iran. The integrated financial, technical, and armaments that were provided by many Arab countries to support Arabic Iraq against non-Arab Iranians was responsible for death of about 500,000 Iranians and injury of several millions.
They remember our financial and technical support of Sadam Hossein to use chemical bombs against Iranians.
Iranians remember summer of 1953.
President George Bush often states that Iran is threatening the interests of the Unites States in Persian Gulf! What are the interests of England and the United States in Persian Gulf, the Persian front door to Iran?
A primer for discussion of these issues must start with review of British and the United States policies relative to the Persian Gulf region. Stephen Kinzer, a veteran New York Times correspondent, in his book
“A primer for discussion of these issues must start with review of British and the United States policies relative to the Persian Gulf region.“
No, it doesn’t. That ‘coup’ did not install Khomeini’s government which — incidentally — is the one in power in Iran. Might as well discuss the Thermopylae for all that non sequitur brings of value to the table.
It is absolutely crazy!
The people who advocate death caused by war are insane; death of one person irrespective of the national identity or religion is barbaric. War is much too uncivilized for the modern world. We have passed the age of crusaders, Mongolian hordes, killing of millions of Armenians (Turks) and Jews (Germans), chemical bombing of Kurds and Iranians, and the past savage century.
Please, respect the sanctity of life.
The future of our civilization is at risk of global annihilation by nuclear, biological and chemical arsenals of nations. For the civilization to survive, we must eliminate the nuclear arsenals and rely on the International Court and the United Nations to resolve the conflicts.
“For the civilization to survive, we must eliminate the nuclear arsenals and rely on the International Court and the United Nations to resolve the conflicts.“
Really? How’s the indictment of Bin Laden working out over there, chief?
Oh, forgot. The UN cannot even come up with a definition of terrorism. It must be too much to ask the UN to stop trafficking in the sex trade in Africa or colluding with dictators.
How’s Darfur doing these days? Or Cambodia? Thank God Tibet is free as a bird! Thanks Kofi Annan!
What a joke. You’d rather let murderers stain the ground with hundreds of thousands of innocents than put a round in the head of a single enemy. And you have the audacity to refer to yourself as a “Saint.” We’ll still do the dirty work for you, don’t worry. Just stay out of the way, or go over to the murderers already.
I don’t think English is Saint Michael’s first language. It’s better than the majority of English-first-language-speaking posters, but it’s off in places that foreigners are usually off on. I doubt that matters much, though.
But I do find what he’s saying interesting… in that, if what he’s saying is true about Ahmadinejad just wanting to protect his country, he could be using the whole Islamic Apocalypse thing to rally as many people in a part of the world where thinking outside of the meaning of life box is a mystery.
St Michael Traveler: “rely on the International Court and the United Nations to resolve the conflicts.“
Bob Mugabe would like to inform you how pleased he is with the UN’s handling of the situation in Zimbabwe, he said it was a stunning victory for his dictatorship.
I suggest you put down your copy of the Gaurdian Michael…
What sort of missile is this anyway? Look like frog in size, but they can not be so stupid they try to impress people with frog.
Frog use a 3 axle truck but the Iranian launchers look more advanced, the standard frog launcher was a simple truck with a launch track.
I
its all and well believing resisting the supremacy of the International powers will not do to Ahmedajah what they did to Saddam. Todays Diva could be tomarrows devil. Saddam should have envisioned the outcome and took the 5 billion to aquesce in oppulent retirement. Later on he could have been forgiven and perhaps even asked to return to pokitics in Iraq. Israel already has their steel dome functional to protect themselves. What shield would Iran have. War is down right hiddeous. The strategy to avoid war is invaluable for the Iranian power structure. If the Iranian top dogs are getting a good nights sleep ; they may never sleep again after a strike. Sometimes the calculations will never stop when you find you can help stop thinking. No tellin where the nuclear fallout clouds will blow across the entire globe. Some places might need a geiger counter at the dairy. Breathing invisible subatomic radioactive particles will indescriminately induce death nausia and cancer. Kennedy and Khrezchev did not want a doomsday WWIII to trigger off. ” Israel is prepared with its Steel Dome and Patriot missles defenses.
I love the spin given the coup in 1953. First, a British idea, one of the many facts that are typically left out.
1. The Mullahs supported the coup fearing a Soviet take over.
2. The nationalization of Britich oil would have been without fair compensation and would have lead to Soviet support of Iranian oil infrastructure (during the inevitable international sanctions) and thus, item 1. If you think Europe didn’t support the coup, you’re kidding yourselves. TRhe <arshal Plan depended on Iranian oil and the Brits has compemsated the Iranians nicely having discovered the oil and invested millions extracting it.
3, The acting Prime Minister of Iran often violated the Constitutional Process in Parliment and any deal to nationalize oil required the Shah’s consent which the PM ignored.
4. The majority of the Iranian military supported the Shah for the very reasons the Mullahs did.
5. Thus Eisenhower approved the action. It was not only a cold war move, but prevented the niave nationalists from falling prey to the communists.
And I must laugh how the Left ignores the crimes against the Iranian people since 1979 v the crimes by the Shah. Let’s at least have the pretense of objectivity here.…..
It actually looks like the two rockets fired in the background are the ones Photoshopped into the pictures. If you look at the smoke patterns, they are exactly the same in both pictures, while the patterns of the rockets and the launcher in the foreground are different.
Just my $.02 worth.
WELL IF AFGANESTAN OR IRAQ OR SUDIARABIA HAD THE POWER TO DEFFEND THEMSELF WOULD ANY BODY DARE TO ATTACK THEM? IF NOBODY HAS ATTACKED THE USA FOR SO MANY YEARS IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE POWER TO DIFEND THEMSELF. SO ANY COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THE POWER TO DEFEND THEM SELF. AS OF THE ABUSE OF THE POWER GOES, SURE USUALLY TOO MUCH POWER MAKES UNREASONABALE MANKIND GRIDY AND THEY THINK THEY ARE CORRECT IN EVERYTHING AND THEY SHOULD DICTATE (DICTATOR) HOW THINGS SHOULD BE DONE. I THINK IRAN WANTS TO BE POWERFULL ENOUGH TO NOT BEATTACKD BY ANYBODY AND KEEP THEIR PEOPLE SAFE.
IRAN HAS A VERY BIG HISTOY OF POWER WHICH NEVER BEEN ABUSEDBY THEM AND IN MANY CASES WHICH THEY CAMEUNDER ATTACK BY OTHERS AND WERE UNDER THEIR POWER STILL WORKED AS THEIR PRIMMINISTER AN THEIR PALACES AND ALWAYS WERE THE MOST TRUSFUL PERSONS. IF ISRAIL DID NOT ABUSE IT