|
"The A9 was a further development of the A4 rocket. ... a variant, the A4b, was produced before the end of the war. The A9 would have been used as the upper stage for an intercontinental missile or a manned craft. The A10 was intended to serve as first stage for the A9, to help it to reach an intercontinental range. New York City and other targets in the northeastern U.S. were its intended targets. Test Stand VII was built at Peenemünde for use in the A10's development. To keep range to its target (New York City or Washington DC) to a minimum, it was intended to be launched from western Spain in its original form."
I have stated my own approach previously, but they center around diplomacy (including Israel / Palestine issues), economic policy, and spl ops aimed at specific AQ targets, regardless of borders or alliances, but in concert with similar allied teams. For Iraq, we move away from the cities as we call upon the Arab League to step in under UN auspices, then we move out altogether (except spl ops, and humanitarian aid, of course). We enable Islamic culture to work out their factional, theological issues among themselves, aiding the progressive ones as appropriate (non-combat forces). It will be painful to watch, but it is a neccessary stage. We clean house in the Pentagon & State of neocon idealogues - get some adult supervision having no ax to grind.
island 911, I'm afraid I've been too close to the flames in DC to confuse toughness with wisdom. There's alot of bragadoccio among the policymakers, not alot of depth. Our spl ops and intel field operatives are another matter (it would be nice if there were more resources for language and culture skills) - pros in service to the nation being poorly served by their politically appointed managers - just my opinion.
people often bring up the "there have been no attacks since 9/11..." argument. it is specious logic, because absent supporting evidence ("it's a secret!" - how convenient), one cannot distinguish chance from causation. further, alternative explanations are equally sensible (and no more valid), such as; the 9/11 plot team was unique, self-contained and eliminated by the mission (one argument for why the WH felt comfortable shifting from AQ to their preferred adventure in Iraq). also, considering the interval from the previous attempt, one would not expect a subsequent attack for a few more years, & the next attack, being on the WH or Capitol with a much more significant device(s) will take even longer to set into motion.
I looked over the posts again, found no flaw in my logic, though I can see potential for misinterpretation, willful or otherwise.
|